The WAFL Eagles produced an admirable performance against Swan Districts on Sautday afternoon, but the home team were simply too strong and managed a 20-point victory at Bassendean Oval.
Despite their attempts to wrangle back the match from a persistent Swans, Rob Wiley's men were overrun in the final quarter and eventually lost the match 11.11 (77) to 8.9 (57).
There were silver lines from the disappointing loss, with Premiership heroes Elliot Yeo and Dom Sheed building in their second match back, while returning speedster Jack Petrucelle and ruck Luke Strandica also got through unscathed.
Bolstered by midfield stocks, the Eagles looked sharp in the cauldron, with Sheed getting some run off the ball and sending the Eagles deep into attack, while Strandica's thrilling battle with the Swans' Matthew Germs provided an entertaining watch.
Despite the Swans' early lead, it was hard to ignore the hard work of Yeo (16 disposals, five marks) and Ryan Ambrose (23, nine), while tall utility Hugh Dixon showed his wares, again booting Eagles' first of the match.
A masterclass from the Eagles' Josh Burke also gave the side some momentum in the second stanza after a scintillating two-goal burst, with a terrific tackle and conversion from Jack Eastough also telling in the same term.
Petruccelle's unselfish check pass to youngster Jack Williams - who booted a major - was also impressive as the Eagles fought tooth and nail to attempt their first victory of the season.
There were also commendable efforts aplenty from the WAFL-listed players, with Jayden Johnstone's drop punt on the third quarter siren getting Eagles fans out of their seats.
Exciting midfielder Joey Deegan also read the ball brilliantly in his 23rd WAFL game and was again imposing, while Joshua Browne (23, four) and Harry Creasy (20, seven) had a crack during the Eagles' closest outing since round one.
The Swans weren't making it easy for West Coast - after slotting the first two goals of the third quarter - but the Eagles kept firing with Creasy's exhilarating 45 metre goal an immediate response.
Pettruccelle's trademark speed was also on display all day as he set up a number of prospective scoring shots for teammates, while Sheed exuded class and was the best Eagle afield for the game.
Yeo also took a few clean marks off of the half back line as he hit some hardened bodies on managed minutes, taking a number of impressive intercepts, including one of note in the second stanza.
But, it wasn't enough to thwart the home team's impressive tenacity as they eventually claimed the victory and a top five position on the WAFL ladder.
WEST COAST 1.2 6.6 8.7 8.9 (57)
SWAN DISTRICTS 2.3 4.3 10.7 11.11 (77)
GOALS
West Coast: Burke 2, Williams, Dixon, Johnstone, Browne, Creasey, Eastough
Swan Districts: Palmer 4, Edwards, Jones 2, Mitchell, Gregory, Brandon
BEST
West Coast: Sheed, Ambrose, Creasey, Burke, Brown, Yeo
Swan Districts: Palmer, Turner, Clarke, Fisher, Bain
