West Coast Eagles
43
Match Complete
Western Bulldogs
98
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| J. Cripps |  | 27:36 | ||
| 25:07 | | A. Naughton | ||
| 21:36 |  | C. Weightman | ||
| 19:35 | | R. Garcia | ||
| 18:13 | | Rushed | ||
| 17:09 | | T. Liberatore | ||
| 14:50 | | M. Bontempelli | ||
| 13:21 | | A. Naughton | ||
| 11:29 | | A. Naughton | ||
| 9:04 | | J. Macrae | ||
| 4:51 | | T. Liberatore | ||
| O. Allen | | 3:44 | ||
| 1:11 | | T. English | ||
| 5.6 (36) | Third Quarter [+] | 7.15 (57) | ||
| J. Waterman | | 29:03 | ||
| 27:15 | | J. Johannisen | ||
| 26:23 | | T. English | ||
| 21:24 | | Rushed | ||
| 19:43 | | C. Weightman | ||
| O. Allen | | 15:13 | ||
| O. Allen | | 13:27 | ||
| 12:11 | | B. Smith | ||
| Rushed | | 11:06 | ||
| J. Petruccelle | | 7:41 | ||
| 6:30 | | B. Smith | ||
| 2.4 (16) | Second Quarter [+] | 4.12 (36) | ||
| 26:37 | | T. McLean | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 22:17 | ||
| D. Sheed | | 19:52 | ||
| 17:20 | | M. Bontempelli | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 15:14 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 13:31 | ||
| 9:19 | | A. Naughton | ||
| 8:15 | | B. Smith | ||
| 4:32 | | B. Williams | ||
| 1:48 | | J. Bruce | ||
| 1.1 (7) | First Quarter [+] | 2.8 (20) | ||
| 26:10 | | B. Smith | ||
| 24:53 | | M. Bontempelli | ||
| N. Naitanui | | 19:58 | ||
| 18:02 | | M. Bontempelli | ||
| 15:41 | | Rushed | ||
| 10:59 | | A. Naughton | ||
| 9:57 | | J. Bruce | ||
| A. Gaff | | 7:27 | ||
| 5:03 | | A. Naughton | ||
| 4:13 | | J. Johannisen | ||
| 2:18 | | Rushed | ||
| 1:28 | | Rushed | ||
The West Coast Eagles welcome back a host of stars for their crunch clash with the second-placed Western Bulldogs. Tune into events from Optus Stadium here on The Roar with live scores from 3:20pm (AEST).
Luke Shuey. Jeremy McGovern. Tim Kelly. Brad Sheppard. In a stroke, the Eagles’ season-long injury woes have all but been eradicated, with their side virtually at full strength for the first time this season, and ready to give the top four a serious shake in the back end of the season.
Even with a second-string side, though, the Eagles have been hard to beat at their Optus Stadium fortress, most notably pipping Richmond by four points in Round 13 despite trailing for most of the match. A last-gasp goal to the ageless Josh Kennedy sent them to the bye on a high note, and fully refreshed, we could be set to re-discover just why the Eagles were one of the pre-season flag favourites.
If the Eagles’ most recent match was inspirational, the Bulldogs’ was nothing short of devastating. On the cusp of a memorable win over the Cats in Geelong, which would have left them two games clear inside the top two, the Dogs were sunk with a goal after the siren from Gary Rohan. As a result, their once-impregnable stronghold on a home qualifying final is now looking in trouble.
The Cats’ loss to Brisbane on Thursday night does mean the Dogs, barring a 12-goal defeat, should hold onto second come round’s end. However, it would also signify a fourth loss against a likely fellow finalist for the year, a worrying trend for one of the flag favourites. Minus some injured stars, most notably key midfielders Adam Treloar and Josh Dunkley, the Dogs’ WA government-enforced quarantine since arriving in Perth earlier in the week, and the perennial challenge of playing the Eagles at Optus Stadium, and this is beginning to look like Mission Impossible.
This afternoon is a big day for Tim English. The emerging Dog has thrived in a ruck-forward role alongside new recruit Stefan Martin in 2021. However, with Martin unavailable, he’ll be rucking solo against arguably the game’s number one big man in Nic Naitanui. If English can’t at least compete against the high-flying Eagle, then the Dogs’ usually dominant midfield brigade may struggle to get enough supply to challenge their rivals on their home turf.
Game information
Opening bounce: 3:20pm (AEST)
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
TV: Fox Sports 3, Seven (VIC, WA only)
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Eagles $1.71, Bulldogs $2.12 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
West Coast Eagles
B: 25 Shannon Hurn, 37 Tom Barrass, 5 Brad Sheppard
HB: 14 Liam Duggan, 20 Jeremy McGovern, 28 Tom Cole
C: 3 Andrew Gaff, 11 Tim Kelly, 15 Jamie Cripps
HF: 8 Jack Redden, 27 Jack Darling, 4 Dom Sheed
F: 12 Oscar Allen, 17 Josh Kennedy, 1 Liam Ryan
FOLL: 9 Nic Naitanui, 6 Elliot Yeo, 13 Luke Shuey (c)
INT: 2 Jake Waterman, 16 Luke Edwards, 21 Jack Petruccelle, 35 Josh Rotham
EMG: 7 Zac Langdon, 19 Nathan Vardy, 30 Jackson Nelson, 31 Jamaine Jones
IN: Brad Sheppard, Jack Petruccelle, Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly
OUT: Harry Edwards, Luke Foley, Jackson Nelson, Jamaine Jones, Zac Langdon
Western Bulldogs
B: 43 Ryan Gardner, 42 Alex Keath, 34 Bailey Williams
HB: 15 Taylor Duryea, 12 Zaine Cordy, 31 Bailey Dale
C: 35 Caleb Daniel, 21 Tom Liberatore, 7 Lachie Hunter
HF: 39 Jason Johannisen, 33 Aaron Naughton, 19 Cody Weightman
F: 28 Anthony Scott, 17 Josh Bruce, 4 Marcus Bontempelli (c)
FOLL: 44 Tim English, 11 Jack Macrae, 6 Bailey Smith
INT: 16 Toby McLean, 20 Ed Richards, 29 Mitch Hannan, 38 Riley Garcia
EMG: 3 Mitch Wallis, 9 Hayden Crozier, 13 Josh Schache, 37 Roarke Smith
nics
Roar Rookie
believe me i'm as frustrated as anyone out there. Nic Nat appears to be the only one who feels like putting a shift in. I'm surprised his shoulders are fine given he's basically carrying the midfield out there.
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
That's the type of instances I was refering to Nics. Losing contests has become acceptable against teams that physically challenge the Eagles.
Too all my faithful out there giving tigers plenty things u forget we at tigerland had many years at grief we take your banter accept it move on but when your team gets beat yous go water here’s few thing I would love say yes I’m one eyed Richmond do I think we will make finals 100 percent do I think we can still win it 100 percent I will always dream the dream hope that answers your ? Dab
Gerry
Roar Rookie
The boys need a master class in tackling. When you can’t kick to someone run and bounce the ball and take on the opposition. Kick mark does not work in any weather conditions and any team. Adapt and work your backsides off. Simpson said that’s what the Bulldogs did. Why aren’t we doing it. Trust more in the youth especially in home and away games. Finals are a whole new ball game. Too many undone players rushed back all at once. Drop Darling to the WAFL he is not performing. Sheed is knackered give him a break. Bring in Jones and hard tacklers who fight for the ball. Armchair coaches we are but something needs to be done.
NOthing sure in life but we strive beat Gold Coast by 100
Lol tigers still win it good see supporters keep knocking others teams you shouldn’t worry about tigers worry about your demons final football different story too home and away enjoy sitting on top
nics
Roar Rookie
There was one passage of play where Gaff basically escorted the bulldogs from our 50 to theirs... fml tackle you nongs!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
The door is open & know one wants to jump in
Scott
Guest
Agreed Ideal22 and I’m a loyal fan. I just don’t get it. The difference between their best and worst is huge. Even when they play bad, they play bad in a different way to how other teams do. When other sides play bad they might turn the ball over more, or make silly mistakes. West coast just drop their shoulders and their opponents just walk the ball forward. It’s so irritating.
Scott
Guest
That was a pathetic embarrassing disgrace west coast. I watched a putrid lack of effort vs hawthorn in 2019 and Gold Coast in 2020. They were embarrassing efforts from players not trying. What the hell was that though?? That was a bad effort no doubt, but who in the flying f-/k taught yas how to play in wet weather. That was a coaching disaster if I’ve ever seen one. The amount of veteran players that looked to the left, right or backwards, without even glancing forwards was embarrassing. You were let off the hook massively by the disgraceful start to the game when it was actually wet, but did yas not learn the lesson that the ball might still be f,.kn slippery. Have yas all been brainwashed to play a certain way and not adapt to the conditions?????? 1st game players to ten game players look to the left and right without looking forward because they are nervous. 200 game players don’t do that, yet they did today multiple times each. What’s the point of having a bunch of good football players, if they can’t win when the weather changes. Is everyone just gonna cross their fingers that it doesn’t rain in September. That was a disgrace that really deserved an even bigger loss. Any Auskick coach in the country could’ve coached a better performance then that.
Klompy
Guest
Very true. WCE Disappointing they did not get a win for Jk., on his 250th game.
Klompy
Guest
A very disappointing game by the Eagles. I was hoping they would of lifted for Josh Kennedy' s 250 game today. It was a very disappointing team effort.
Angela
Roar Rookie
Yes, I'll be sent to bed without my supper :crying:
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Only saw the replay. Looked like he was about to do his hammy. Great.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yatt did you like Bont snap for goal! Goal of the year?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
:silly:
nics
Roar Rookie
There are excuses which could be said but no it was a fetid performance with a glimpse of top 4 on the line.
KFT
Guest
Wet toast! Wow are you in kindy!
mr house
Guest
Umpiring conspiracies only exist when it applies to the suns when they lose according to some people...
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
the no crowd didn't hurt your cause.