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West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons: AFL live scores, blog

17th May, 2019
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West Coast Eagles

85

Match Complete

Melbourne

69

30
WCE85 : 69MEL

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17th May, 2019
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West Coast Eagles

85

Match Complete

Melbourne

69

Fourth Quarter
30:54A. Brayshaw
J. Darling26:41
24:18B. Stretch
J. Cripps23:14
L. Ryan18:38
11:07J. Hunt
D. Sheed8:48
J. Cripps6:43
J. Cripps5:27
2:43J. Harmes
L. Shuey1:35
D. Sheed28:14
J. J. Kennedy26:24
24:05J. Garlett
23:00C. Petracca
16:32C. Petracca
D. Sheed14:58
13:38J. Garlett
J. J. Kennedy10:43
8:23Rushed
4:48J. Garlett
32:29O. Baker
1:22T. McDonald
Rushed27:58
26:29Rushed
L. Shuey24:17
16:48Rushed
W. Rioli16:12
10:55T. Smith
W. Rioli8:14
6:34Rushed
2:14J. Garlett
Rushed26:09
22:44J. Hunt
J. Petruccelle21:29
19:55T. McDonald
15:14C. Petracca
J. J. Kennedy13:33
W. Rioli11:31
J. J. Kennedy9:54
7:35J. Garlett
6:34Rushed
4:50C. Petracca
2:19N. Jones

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The West Coast Eagles host the Melbourne Demons in a season-defining clash at Optus Stadium on Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:10pm (AEST).

The rematch of last year’s Perth preliminary final has arrived under different circumstances to what many would have assumed a mere two months ago.

The Eagles have five wins from their first eight games, but the reigning premiers have been unconvincing overall.

Attacking just hasn’t been a strong suit for West Coast in 2019, ranked 16th in the competition for “points for”.

Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy are a shadow of their former selves at the moment, while Oscar Allen is still trying to find his feet at senior level. Jack Petruccelle has been the most impressive forward for the Eagles.

Willie Rioli’s return is huge, despite being a young and inexperienced player. Arguably the club’s most skilled player, Rioli has a mix of the skills provided by Petruccelle and Ryan, which means he’ll fit in perfectly alongside the two.

These small forwards will provide a great challenge for the underwhelming Melbourne defence, which has conceded the second-most points over the first two months of the season.

Touted as potential premiership favourites, the Demons are 3-5 and a complete mess at the moment – the defence isn’t great, the ball movement is stagnant at times and there is no scoring power.

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In recent weeks, it appears as though Melbourne has reverted to a Paul Roos-style of footy, in which a greater emphasis has been placed on blocking the defensive 50 and trying to work from there.

Given the talent in the team, this is an extremely disappointing development in the system, but it may well provide the Demons with the ability to sneak some results while they come up with a stronger attacking plan.

What stands out in this game is the strength of West Coast’s defence and how well it matches the current tactic of Melbourne’s forward 50 entries.

The Demons tend to just kick high, directionless balls into attack – Jeremy McGovern has had sweet dreams all week.

The inclusions for the Demons aren’t overly inspiring, and Jake Melksham’s injury is simply huge for the club.

Expect Bayley Fritsch to be playing across half-forward, while debutant Oskar Baker will likely be stuck on a flank as well.

The Eagles are settled at the moment and will need to stay strong defensively to win this game.

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Vardy will lose the ruck battle, which places a higher value on the pressure applied by Mark Hutchings and Elliot Yeo in the centre square.

Melbourne definitely has a chance to win this game if it doesn’t bomb the ball inside 50.

A run-and-gun approach is what can trouble the Eagles, and the home team is vulnerable against quick ball movement and genuine speed.

Ultimately though, West Coast’s tackling and ability to share the ball to the outside seems to be too strong for Melbourne at the moment.

Sheed and Gaff are thriving in the current system, and it’s an area Melbourne doesn’t deal with particularly well.

Both teams need to win this game for different reasons and it makes for an intriguing contest.

West Coast by 15 points.

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