The West Coast Eagles deserved better, but down on troops, sapped of energy and against arguably the best team in the competition, they fell to a 63-point loss against Collingwood at Optus Stadium today.

Winning against one of the glamour teams in the competition was always going to be a mammoth challenge but when key defender Tom Barrass was withdrawn pre-game with a hip injury, the task became even tougher.

Then small forward Connor West was subbed out with a knee injury, young midfielder Elijah Hewett, brought in to replace Barrass, was ruled out with concussion and veteran Shannon Hurn’s day ended with a hamstring strain.

Despite the spate of injuries that occurred before quarter-time, leaving the Eagles with just two players on the bench for the remainder of the game, they fought bravely and edged within 14 points in the third quarter.

It was a courageous effort from the Eagles with 150-game milestone man Dom Sheed leading the way. In addition Elliot Yeo produced an inspired third quarter that almost had the home fans thinking of a previously unthinkable victory.

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Stellar Sheed delivers classy finish in 150th game

Dom Sheed produces this brilliant running goal to make it three unanswered goals for his side

Other leaders Tim Kelly and Oscar Allen (three goals) also set a high bar for the teammates along with half-back Liam Duggan.

Unfortunately, in the last quarter the simply ran out of gas. The heavy workload took its toll and the Pies rattled on six goals to none in the final term to post a 18.12 (130) to 8.9 (57) victory.

Knowing their opponents were out on their feet, Collingwood ran the ball at every opportunity stretching their opponents to the brink

Despite the heavy margin the Eagles conceded the inside 50 metre count by just one, won the contested possession battle 132-124 and also had more tackles inside the forward 50 (12-5).

It was also a day when a couple of the young players – small forward Noah Long and midfielder Reuben Ginbey – continued their education and again demonstrated that they are on course to enjoy fruitful careers with the club.

In the end it was the class of Nick Daicos, Tom Mitchell and Taylor Adams that propelled Collingwood to victory.

DETAILS
Collingwood                     4.3          8.5          12.9        18.12     120
West Coast Eagles            0.3          4.3          8.7           8.9          57

GOALS
Collingwood: Mihocek, N Daicos, Hill, Johnson 3; Cox 2; Harrison, Adams, Crisp, Mitchell.
West Coast Eagles: Allen 3; Long, Sheed, Clark, Kelly, O’Neill.

BEST
Collingwood: N Daicos, Mitchell, Cox, Adams, J Daicos, Murphy.
West Coast Eagles: Sheed, Yeo, Duggan, Kelly, Williams, Allen.

INJURIES
Collingwood: McCreery (ankle) replaced by substitute Markov.
West Coast Eagles: Barrass (hip) replaced in selected team by Hewett; West (knee) replaced by substitute Clark; Hewett (concussion), Hurn (hamstring).

ATTENDANCE
41,713