The West Coast Eagles and the Western Bulldogs face off at Optus Stadium in Round 18 of the AFL. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
After three questionable weeks where their form slipped considerably and people began to seriously question the premiership credentials of the Eagles, they have bounced back with wins against two in-form teams to restake their claims.
Both Collingwood and GWS had been in excellent form and the Eagles accounted for both in the last fortnight, showing the qualities that has seen them match the ladder speed of the ever impressive Tigers.
Once again the Richmond have skipped clear and the Eagles will need a win today to keep pace with the competition favourites.
A top two spot will be the ultimate aim for the team from the west and this is just the type of danger game that could derail that quest.
The Western Bulldog’s recent form is nothing to write home about and recent losses to Melbourne and Hawthorn has seen them competitive but never really a threat to take the four points.
In the end, both matches slipped away from them badly towards the end and the score board finished rather unflatteringly.
Prior to that, a win against the ever inconsistent Geelong lifted their spirits, as would a win against the high flying Eagles who begin the final third of their season without vital ruckman Nic Naitanui.
Tom Boyd is back for the Dogs in what is another chance for this young side to give their fans some belief in the medium term future.
Prediction
It is hard to see the Eagles dropping this game at home with so much on the line in terms of final’s positions.
However, we probably said the same thing about the Swans yesterday. The noise of affirmation will be strong today and the Bulldogs will be no match for the home side, who will claim the four points with relative comfort.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
Guttsy
Guest
In general leading with the head into a contested ball situation is not something the AFL should be encouraging. Having said this, opposition players do have a duty of care not to clean up a player who is leading with the head into a contest. I think Hurn fulfilled this duty of care by being almost stationary in the cillision (more or less). In this situation I think Hurn was in fact trying to do the right thing and turn his shoulder towards the contest to brace for impact and it is what Mitch Honeycomb should also have been doing. I think Hurn trys to avoid the contact when he sees Honeycombs lack preparation for the contest. In summary I think this incident was caused mostly by Honeycomb's lack of situational awareness and his lack of understanding of the correct approach to these situations.
Kane
Guest
If Hurn gets anything for that then Howe from Hawthorn has to get 5 weeks. Michael Christian is a joke though so anything could happen
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Supposedly,Hurn made no attempt to gather the ball,so he's in trouble. If he'd tried to gather the ball,which was traveling away from him,he would have wiped Honeychurch out with his shoulder. Honeychurch didn't look up at any point,but Hurn couldn't have avoided him
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Hurn? 8 weeks! Lol.
Craig
Guest
If shannon hurn gets suspended for that footballer running head first into him Michael christian should be suspended permanently Hurn was just protecting himself from injury
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Oh, and Hutchings does it again. Kept Macrae to 22 disposals.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
The umpiring was pathetic. Re the Hurn incident, the rule is if the player has his head down and moving forward there is not free kick if tackled by the oppo. Ok, Hurn didn't tackle him, but he certainly didn't bump him. He just braced himself. Under the rules of the game that is incidental contact and play on. If people want to fix the state of the game, then they need to do something about the umpiring. It is getting worse each year.
IAP
Guest
Who is Mark Readings? God he's boring. Imagine him commentating with Basil...
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The West Coast Eagles have comfortably accounted for the Western Bulldogs by 54 points at Optus Stadium in Perth. In a match played in changing conditions as rain and wind spewed across the ground throughout the afternoon, the young Bulldogs were no match for the classy Eagles, who now assume their position back in the top two; hot on the heels of the pace setting Richmond. The game started in a flurry with four goals in the first seven minutes and with two coming from the visitors, the Bulldogs looked to have brought good spirit to the contest. It didn't take long however, for the Eagles to click into gear and they set up solid leads at every break and never looked challenged for the remainder of the day. Elliot Yeo's run was problematic for the Dogs and Jamie Cripps had a great day with three goals. Jack Darling matched him with a trio of his own in the final term. Josh Kennedy was influential up front; offering a target all day and bringing the ball to ground for others to take advantage. Once the Bulldogs realised the game was beyond them, they played extra numbers back and the quality of the game suffered greatly. It wasn't until the final term when the sun reappeared that the game opened up a little and the scoring increased. The second and third quarters were very stodgy affairs. The Eagles continue their march towards the finals and the Bulldogs will be hoping some of their injured troops return soon to give their fans something to cheer about over the final weeks of the competition. Final Score West Coast Eagles 14 16 100 Western Bulldogs 6 10 46
Jungle Jim
Guest
What a boring game..the commentators didn't help..what a bag of self inflated hot air BT is!!! Felt sorry for Bartel, did his best. oh well, Eagles got some percentage racked up.
Matto
Guest
Haha i noticed Bartell doing that too. BT is just talking about what's in the headlines atm. I agree it's bad that's what he is talking about. I've been saying for years I don't know another sport that has a bunch of rule changes every season. And now they want to make drastic changes.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the coverage. Match report to follow in ten minutes.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time The siren sounds and the Eagles have won easily in the West.
West Coast: 14.16 (100) Western Bulldogs: 6.10 (46)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
29' - Seconds remain.
West Coast: 14.16 (100) Western Bulldogs: 6.10 (46)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 27' - The Eagles mark at half back and move the ball forward with ease. There are loose players everywhere and LeCras marks in the square.
West Coast: 14.16 (100) Western Bulldogs: 6.10 (46)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
26' - Free kick to the Bulldogs at half back.
West Coast: 13.16 (94) Western Bulldogs: 6.10 (46)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
25' - The Bulldogs clear but the Eagles mark and will send it back inside fifty.
West Coast: 13.16 (94) Western Bulldogs: 6.10 (46)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
24' - Stoppage at half forward for the Eagles.
West Coast: 13.16 (94) Western Bulldogs: 6.10 (46)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 23' - Johannisen marks on the fifty and will take a set shot. MIsses to the right.
West Coast: 13.16 (94) Western Bulldogs: 6.10 (46)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 21' - Ball on centre wing. Yeo streaks through the middle. A chain of kicks and handballs finds Darling in front who converts.
West Coast: 13.16 (94) Western Bulldogs: 6.9 (45)