If the result is all that matters, not necessarily the process, then the West Coast Eagles could tick that box after a grinding win against Carlton at the MCG.
While the winless Blues were expected by some to be easy-beats, the Eagles anticipated exactly what they got as Carlton stepped up the intensity and responded to some heavy Melbourne media scrutiny.
Others that had attracted the media blowtorch, like the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Collingwood had fought back, and the Eagles expected nothing less from the Blues.
It is folly to suggest that Carlton had nothing to lose; there is always something on the line. But without a few senior players, including Marc Murphy, Matthew Kreuzer, Sam Docherty and Caleb Marchbank, expectations of their breakthrough victory were not high.
For the Eagles, it was a chance to consolidate a good start to the season and to also win a game at the MCG – a record that was a constant source of reference in the media and one that was always inflated by the scarcity of games West Coast plays at the premier Melbourne venue.
While this was not one for the ages, it was a scrap from start to finish, a burst of polished football in the last five minutes leading into three-quarter time was virtually enough to secure victory.
In that period, Andrew Gaff, who was close to a unanimous choice as best on ground, pounced on a couple of defensive clangers by the Blues and Mark LeCras converted a set shot on the siren to give the visitors an 18-point cushion.
The last quarter played out as a virtual draw, until Carlton kicked a couple of late goals to nudge within 10 points. A final margin of less than two goals might normally indicate a degree of tension in the run to the siren, but that was not the case.
Aside from the ball-gathering exploits of Gaff and the goals of LeCras, the Eagles again had strong contributions through the midfield from Elliot Yeo, Chris Masten, Dom Sheed and Jack Redden while Josh Kennedy kicked one goal to tie with Peter Sumich as the club’s all-time leading scorer and Willie Rioli produced a magical second term major.
Rioli won a goal-of-the-year nomination for his effort as Carlton were looking to kick the ball out of the danger zone. There was a little too much hang time on the pass, Rioli got back, running with the flight of the ball, effected a spoil without infringing and then pounced on the loose Sherrin.
He was outside the attacking arc when he gathered, ran towards the 50 metre line, baulked around an on-coming opponent and then slotted a neat effort from about 45 metres.
The Eagles defence was also solid once again, with Brad Sheppard setting the standard for courage and commitment. He was well supported by skipper Shannon Hurn, youngster Tom Cole and master interceptor, Jeremy McGovern.
Round 5 v Carlton
MCG
West Coast Eagles 3.5 5.11 9.16 10.19 79
Carlton 2.1 4.5 6.6 10.9 69
Goals – West Coast Eagles: LeCras 3; Gaff 2; Masten, Kennedy, Shuey, Lycett, Rioli.
Carlton: McKay 4; Casboult 2; E Curnow
