West Coast Eagles
104
Match Complete
GWS Giants
52
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| J. Darling |  | 25:23 | ||
| J. Smith | | 19:59 | ||
| O. Allen |  | 12:44 | ||
| J. Petruccelle | | 9:13 | ||
| J. Darling | | 7:44 | ||
| 3:49 | | J. Cameron | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 2:57 | ||
| E. Yeo | | 0:47 | ||
| 12.5 (77) | Third Quarter [+] | 6.10 (46) | ||
| 30:06 | | J. Cameron | ||
| D. Sheed | | 27:45 | ||
| 24:32 | | N. Haynes | ||
| 22:03 | | B. Daniels | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 21:20 | ||
| J. Darling | | 19:38 | ||
| 17:32 | | H. Himmelberg | ||
| O. Allen | | 15:53 | ||
| 14:05 | | Rushed | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 12:10 | ||
| 8:55 | | N. Haynes | ||
| 5:36 | | J. Cameron | ||
| 8.4 (52) | Second Quarter [+] | 3.6 (24) | ||
| J. Darling | | 30:47 | ||
| L. Shuey | | 29:14 | ||
| O. Allen | | 26:31 | ||
| T. Hickey | | 21:19 | ||
| L. Shuey | | 18:12 | ||
| 16:38 | | T. Taranto | ||
| 9:42 | | S. J. Reid | ||
| 8:37 | | D. Lloyd | ||
| Rushed | | 6:11 | ||
| 5:05 | | J. Cameron | ||
| 3:49 | | J. Cameron | ||
| O. Allen | | 2:16 | ||
| 2.3 (15) | First Quarter [+] | 1.3 (9) | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 27:24 | ||
| Rushed | | 25:46 | ||
| 23:46 | | D. Lloyd | ||
| 22:33 | | L. Keeffe | ||
| J. Smith | | 18:39 | ||
| J. Darling | | 15:08 | ||
| M. Hutchings | | 6:15 | ||
| 2:09 | | Z. Williams | ||
| 0:20 | | H. Himmelberg | ||
It’s a heavyweight clash in Perth, as the West Coast Eagles take on the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 8:10pm AEDT (5:10pm AWST).
The reigning premiers looked a shadow of themselves in their season opener, a weakened team getting comfortably beaten in Brisbane last week.
With Josh J Kennedy returning from injury, and back in the familiar environment of Optus Stadium, Adam Simpson would be confident of a much better performance.
But their opponents have already shown they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in 2019; the Giants utterly dominated the Bombers in Sydney last week, despite missing key players of their own.
It was the GWS midfield that excelled in round one, in particular Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto and Lachie Whitfield. That’s in spite of missing key players from that area in Callan Ward and Josh Kelly.
They’ll be hoping to carry that great form in today, and with the Eagles’ strength forward and back will probably need to win more than their fair share of the footy in order to get a win.
However, the Giants had a further setback during the week, with Toby Greene missing this evening’s game with injury.
The Eagles continue to miss Nic Naitanui, Andrew Gaff and Jamie Cripps, but the premiers still look powerful across the field.
At selection, the home team omitted Jacob Waterman and Jarrod Brander after disappointing games. As well as Kennedy, they bring in former Collingwood player Josh Smith.
Harry Perryman joins Toby Greene on the sidelines for the Giants, but they do welcome back defender Nick Haynes and the forgotten Matt Buntine.
GWS have only ever played one game at Optus Stadium; a narrow loss last year against today’s opponent. That was a missed opportunity; they had more disposals, inside 50s and scoring shots, but weren’t effective enough in front of goal.
Prediction
The Giants obviously go into this game with much better form. But round one form can be misleading, and with so much uncertainty at this time of year one principle we know we can count on is to back the home team.
So that’s what I’m doing.
West Coast by 12 points.
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT (5.10pm AWST)
Where: Optus Stadium
Date: 30 March 2019
TV: Fox Sports
Last five games
Round 16, 8 Jul 2018 , Optus Stadium, West Coast defeats GWS 86-75
Round 8, 12 May 2018, Showground Stadium, GWS defeated by West Coast 61-86
Semi Final, 16 Sep 2017, Showground Stadium, GWS defeats West Coast 125-58
Round 22, 19 Aug 2017, Showground Stadium, GWS defeats West Coast 81-60
Round 10, 28 May 2017, Domain Stadium, West Coast defeated by GWS 90-98
WEST COAST EAGLES
B Shannon Hurn, Tom Barrass, Tom Cole
HB Brad Sheppard, Jeremy McGovern, Lewis Jetta
C Chris Masten, Elliot Yeo, Daniel Venables
HF Mark Hutchings, Jack Darling, Jack Redden
F Liam Ryan, Josh J. Kennedy, Oscar Allen
FOL Nathan Vardy, Dom Sheed, Luke Shuey
I/C Liam Duggan, Tom Hickey, Jack Petruccelle, Josh Smith
GWS GIANTS
B Heath Shaw, Phil Davis, Adam Kennedy
HB Zac Williams, Jeremy Finlayson, Matt Buntine
C Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Lachie Whitfield
HF Daniel Lloyd, Jeremy Cameron, Brett Deledio
F Brent Daniels, Harry Himmelberg, Sam J. Reid
FOL Dawson Simpson, Stephen Coniglio, Matt de Boer
I/C Sam Taylor, Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson, Lachlan Keeffe
Jim the Geo
Roar Rookie
Back in the 1970s, the Welsh comic and troubador Max Boyce sang about the factory in Wales that churned out fly-halves for the rugby side. He had a point - Wales were unbeatable in the 1970s for all but the mighty All Blacks. It maybe an unfair comparison, but West Coast - like all AFL teams - regularly farewell senior players. With their retirements come the inevitable thoughts that 'this inexperienced squad will fare worse next year', and yet the recruitment of young talent at the Eagles seems to be spot-on. Furthermore, Simpson & Co seem to have the happy knack of giving new players a gentle start in the big time, with limited game time and only a handful of games in their first season, if that. It's clearly working well. Last year saw the likes of Redden, Darling and Sheed produce their best form ever. I include Darling as he stepped up in the absence of Kennedy for so many games. This year we can expect more from newbies like Rioli and Ryan, while Allen and Petruccelle are continuing the tradition as they promise the 'break out' in 2019. Ultimately, Simpson has the plan, and he's able to get his squad to work to that plan. I think we saw that after QT last night. I'm sure other AFL teams are - in essence - following the same protocols, it's just that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Eagles fan, and after last year, I can only see things getting better. Next week's GF rematch will be a real litmus test. Can't wait!
Scott
Guest
It’s a frustrating one but technically it’s a correct ruling I believe. If he hit through for a behind that would have been ok as he was under pressure. But the rule doesn’t allow for pressure when hitting it out of bounds. You must make reasonable attempts to keep it in. He had the option to hit it back into play or through for a point and he chose to hit it out of bounds. It’s harsh but technically correct.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I highly rated Josh Smith and was sorry to see him go.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
GWS bullies at home, wilt like soggy lettuce away. New season, same old story. Should be a cracker of a GF replay next week. The Pies add two in form defensive talls in Roughead and Moore to the GF side, Dayne Beams the prodigal son, but will be missing Adams and Hoskin-Elliott. Hopefully the weather is ok as this should be a beauty.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
What a difference a week makes. Took them 45mins to click into gear, then they started to look like the side from last year. Good game from Hickey, lets see how he goes against Grundy. Allen will be a star. This kid has it all. Petruccelli is lightening quick. Still reckon he will eventually end up on the HBF where he should be more damaging breaking oppo lines through the middle. Hutchings does it again keeping their best midfielder to 20 disposals and only 50 fantasy points, whilst raking up 15 disposals and 58 fantasy point himself. That type of performance is worth double his fantasy points at least to the team. He ruined my fantasy score that's for sure. The Gov still looks underdone, but getting his mojo back. Tom "that's why we are such good players" Barrass played a blinder last night. Shuey just keeps on keeping on. Smith was quiet in the first half, but considering they were using Masto's wing to transition, he put in a pretty reasonable game. When they started switching the ball to the fat side he came into the game and showed us why we picked him up. Will probably make way for Gaffy and just be a list player going forward. But he adds depth to our midfield. JD showed that he has taken his game to another level. He is just so dominant in the air. The forward line can only get better from here when Rioli and Crippa come back into the side. Venables is a slow burn. Put in a serviceable game and got to attend a few CBDs. He has the wheels and the skills. I Just don't think he has enough confidence in himself to take the game on. He could be another Judd IMO, but he is taking his time. Big game at the MCG next week.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Many difficult set shots, Sheed, Yeo, Darling,Allen and Smith. Nailed them all. Petrucelle is as quick as anyone, Saad maybe? Rioli and Cripps are both fast too. The Eagles should make the most of the dry conditions at Perth Stadium and win all their home games. The Derby is looming as a good game.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
GWS tipped to finish above West Coast. They'll have to do better than that
TomC
Roar Guru
Match report West Coast have emphatically reasserted their premiership credentials with an impressive 52 point win over the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium. All night, the Eagles were more resolute in defence and more efficient in attack than the round one ladder leaders. It was a slow start to the game, with the Giants having looking the better of the two teams early but completely unable to capitalise, while West Coast moved the ball slowly but with more purpose. At quarter time the home side lead by six points, with GWS' only goal coming after the ball was fumbled onto Zac Williams' shin and somehow dribbled through. In the second quarter it looked like the Giants might have found their rhythm, with some slick run and carry through the middle. GWS took a narrow lead and looked sharper and faster than the premiers. But the Eagles defended resolutely, as they tend to do. And late in the term they caused serious damage on the counterattack. Norm Smith medallist Shuey kicked two ripping long goals as part of a run of five in a row for the home team, as they took a 28 point lead into the main break. The third term was similar to the first, as GWS threatened at times to get their offensive game going, but West Coast continued to defend stoutly, and their ball movement improved as confidence grew. With the margin greater than five goals at three quarter time, and the Giants seemingly having no answer to West Coast's defence, there was never any doubt about the result. West Coast kicked the last three goals of the match to push the margin out beyond 50. For the home side, the stars were surely in defence, where McGovern, Barrass and Shepherd were immovable, while Jetta and Hurn provided excellent rebounding. Sheed and Shuey had fine games in the midfield, while Yeo contributed a couple of highlights. Up forward, Jack Darling kicked four goals while young Oscar Allen contributed three and showed a lot of good signs. For the visitors, Whitfield had 33 touches, but arguably could have had more impact with them. Williams was excellent however across half back. Stephen Coniglio – so good in round one – was well contained in his home state and didn't give much for his 20 possessions. The Giants are brought back to earth after their excellent season opener, and having faced the premiers now host the minor premiers in another key clash next Saturday. The Eagles take excellent form into the grand final rematch against Collingwood on Saturday night, and with Andrew Gaff and possibly Jamie Cripps to return will expect to only get stronger.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call, Tom.
User
Roar Rookie
Well done boys, gaffy back next Saturday happy days
TomC
Roar Guru
That's full time West Coast 16.8.104 GWS 7.10.52
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL WEST COAST Darling puts the full stop on this Eagles win with a long goal around the corner. West Coast 104 GWS 52
25
User
Roar Rookie
Double the score is always good
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Unbelievable chain of footy. Great stuff.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Lol this is a training drill now.
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL WEST COAST Josh Smith opens his account at his new club, with a very smart finish from near 50m out, on a significant angle. West Coast 98 GWS 52
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Very powerful win this against a quality side.
19
User
Roar Rookie
Further examples?