The West Coast Eagles suffered a heartbreaking loss on Saturday afternoon, after Perth snatched a two-point victory in the dying minutes of the match at Mineral Resources Park.
Bringing a 14-point lead into the final quarter, West Coast came in confident, but Perth’s comeback mission prevailed after a final quarter purple patch, with the away team eventually clinching a clutch 9.8 (62) to 8.12 (60) victory.
The game looked promising early, with West Coast holding a 16-point lead at the first break after kicking with the wind, but a second quarter surge significantly narrowed the margin for a classy Demons side, with both teams coming into the long break with 23 points.
The valiant Eagles showed plenty of exciting signs, with AFL-listed Jake Waterman, Jack Williams and Xavier O’Neill finishing in the Eagles’ best for their non-stop effort and work rate in the contest.
The trio were vital aspects of the Eagles’ attack, with Waterman and Williams both finishing with two majors for the match.
O’Neill was also one of the key ball winners for the day with 27 touches, nine marks and a goal, while Waterman’s aerial ability shone through with 13 marks for the day.
In the forward line, Williams proved himself in telling moments across the day, most notably after snaring the first major of the game after a one-handed contested mark in the Eagles’ 50.
After pushing the lead out to 14 points in the third quarter at home, O’Neill continued to work hard in the Eagles’ engine room, while utility Callum Jamieson showed his colours in defence, winning the contested ball to finish the match with 11 disposals and a goal for the day.
Well backed-up by Logan Young (one goal) and Darby McCarthy (one), West Coast’s pre-season work was evident under new coach Rob Wiley, with the Eagles’ ability to convert from turnovers showing telling signs of improvement, which the team will only continue to build on as the season progresses.
Mature-age draftee Greg Clark also looked good in his first game back from a shoulder injury, playing managed minutes and finishing the day with 18 disposals and six marks, while AFL-listed Isiah Winder and Samo Petrevski-Seton also looked poised when in possession.
New captain Zane Sumich also stood strong in the Eagles’ defence with 16 disposals and six marks, while Luke Strnadica (17 disposals) and Brady Hough (19) must also be commended for their efforts.
WEST COAST 3.1 3.5 7.8 8.12 (60)
PERTH 0.3 3.5 5.6 9.8 (62)
GOALS
West Coast: Waterman, Williams 2, Jamieson, McCarthy, O’Neill, Young
Perth: McInnes 3, Ajang 2, Baldwin-Wright, Bird, Busher, Hug
BEST
West Coast: Waterman, Williams, Clark, O’Neill, Browne, Hough
Perth: Taylor, Fisher, Davis, Ajang, Coniglio, McInnes
