The West Coast Eagles suffered a disappointing 2024 home finale at the hands of Carlton on Sunday, falling by 65 points in a flat performance.
It was a swirly setting inside Optus Stadium, and while the rain held off for the most part, the blustery conditions and unforced errors made for some scrappy football.
Led by inspirational skipper Patrick Cripps, the Blues mastered the conditions, swamping the Eagles around the contest and pulling away to a 14.15 (99) to 4.10 (34) victory.
West Coast’s champion wingman Andrew Gaff fought hard in his farewell game, managing 25 touches and seven marks, but the team were unable produce a fairytale finish to what has been an outstanding career for the club’s all-time leading possession winner.
Elliot Yeo tried hard with a team-high 28 touches, nine tackles and seven clearances, while Jamie Cripps finished with a game-high 10 tackles and a goal in his 250th game.
West Coast came out firing in the opening term, Jake Waterman kicking back-to-back goals to start the game in what was promising signs early.
The Blues responded strongly, knocking the wind out of West Coast’s sails and going on to kick the next six-straight majors, with Carlton superstar Cripps wreaking havoc around the ground and finishing with 35 touches and 10 clearances.
Carlton showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas, taking all the momentum and a lofty 31-point lead into the halftime break.
The Eagles brought spirit to start the third term, with milestone man Cripps kicking a much-needed goal for the home side, to the delight of the West Coast faithful.
Carlton continued to be hungrier around the contest, and responded through Zac Williams, before Matthew Owies kicked his second goal, extending the margin back out to 36 points.
West Coast were their own worst enemy at times with poor decision making and skill errors, and the Blues capitalised on every opportunity and took a 55-point lead into the final term.
A goal from Eagles speedster Jack Petrucelle – who started as the sub - gave the crowd something the cheer about, but it was ultimately a disappointing day out for the boys in blue and gold.
Brodie Kemp (four goals) and Matthew Owies (three) were damaging for Carlton on the scoreboard, and George Hewett managed 35 touches and 10 tackles in clinical display.
West Coast finishes the 2024 season at the Cattery against Geelong next Saturday.
Details
WEST COAST EAGLES 2.2 2.2 3.5 4.10 (34)
CARLTON BLUES 2.4 6.9 11.12 14.15 (99)
GOALS
West Coast: Waterman 2; Cripps, Petruccelle. Carlton: Kemp 4; Owies 3; Kennedy 2; Durdin, Williams, Motlop, Moir, Binns.
BEST
West Coast: McGovern, Reid, Edwards, Duggan, Yeo. Carlton: Cripps, Hewett, Kennedy, Owies, Kemp.
Crowd: 48,455 at Optus Stadium
