West Coast 15.8 (98) clawed their way back from a 38-point deficit against Perth 15.8 (98) at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday afternoon, only for the match to end in heartbreak, with a point from Perth tying up the score after the siren.
Despite these teams occupying the bottom two rungs of the WAFL ladder, it was a thrilling NAIDOC Round match-up from start to finish, both teams desperate for the four points in an otherwise disappointing season so far.
Naitanui Academy product and classy forward Tyrell Dewar (17 disposals) impressed, giving the Eagles the lead with an important fourth-quarter goal.
Fellow Naitanui Academy product Jordyn Baker (18 disposals) backed up his inspiring 19-disposal game against East Fremantle last week, recording his best two performances so far this season in the past two weeks.
A courageous Eagles side did well to stay in the game, with a seven-goal third term bringing the team to within just five points at three quarter time.
In a stroke of genius from Eagles coach Rob Wiley, Zane Sumich was moved into the forward line for the second half, resulting in three third-term goals from the swingman and a boost of confidence going into the final quarter.
Crafty midfielder Joshua Browne (28 disposals) was a stand-out for the Eagles, while captain Jackson Nelson (26 disposals) displayed terrific leadership and encouragement for his young teammates.
Jack Cooley (34 disposals) led the way around the ground for Perth, with Michael Sinclair and Kristian Cary managing three goals each.
West Coast return to Mineral Resources Park on next Saturday to face West Perth from 5:10pm.
Details
Perth 4.3 11.5 14.5 15.8 98
West Coast Eagles 2.1 6.3 13.6 15.8 98
Goals – Perth: Sinclair, Cary 3; Byrne, Clark, Philip 2; Stubbs, Hayward, Evans. West Coast Eagles: Sumich 3; Kemp, Eastough 2; Dewar, Browne, Burke, McCarthy, Mercer, Lucassen, Sambo, Mouritz.
Best - Perth: Sinclair, Cary, Gray, Byrne, Cooley. West Coast: Sumich, Kemp, McCarthy, Browne, Nelson.
Crowd: TBC
