Optus Oval, known by myriad names over the course of its history, but more broadly recognised as Princes Park, holds few good memories for the West Coast Eagles.
Home to the Carlton Football Club, but also hosting games on behalf of clubs like North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, provided rare highlights for the Eagles.
An exception was round 12, 2002. A day when key forward Quinten Lynch was elevated off the rookie list to make his senior debut and one that would prove pivotal in the club’s return to finals football under the reign of first-year coach John Worsfold.
That this performance in hostile territory came 12 months after the club’s biggest belting at the hands of the Blues (119 points in round 10, 2001) was extraordinary.
Lynch made a statement early in the game when a Carlton defender threatened to swoop on a loose ball and send his team forward. The bear from Grass Patch threw a big paw onto the footy, won possession, got to his feet and snapped a brilliant goal.
That was the catalyst for a bright start by the Eagles and they led for much of the first half on the back of some solid work by Ben Cousins, Peter Matera, Josh Wooden and Chad Fletcher through the midfield while Ashley McIntosh and Glen Jakovich were rock solid in defence.
In the third term there was a momentum shift and Carlton seemed to be on track for victory when they held a four point advantage at the last change.
That was the signal for Cousins to produce one of the great quarters of his career, carrying his team to victory with an inspired 12-possession final term.
At the same time, Adam Hunter produced what would become his signature move, drifting forward from defence to take a strong mark and kick a clutch goal deep into the term.
Controversy reigned when umpires awarded a free kick to Mark Merenda in the dying minutes, with scores level. Some thought Carlton’s Adrian Hickmott had been pinged for deliberate out of bounds, but he was actually penalised for a throw.
Merenda, from about 30 metres, knew any score would put West Coast in front so that was all he sought from his kick.
Round 12, 2002
Optus Oval
West Coast Eagles 12.17 (89) defeated Carlton 12.16 (88)
Goals – West Coast Eagles: Williams, Peter Matera, Lynch, Hunter 2; Fletcher, Merenda, Phil Matera, Haynes.
Club champion votes: 24 – Ben Cousins; 20 Ashley McIntosh; 19 Josh Wooden; 15 Chad Fletcher, Peter Matera; 13 Adam Hunter; 12 Glen Jakovich; 9 Daniel Kerr, Michael Collica; 8 Dean Cox, Andrew Williams; 7 Drew Banfield, Rowan Jones, Mark Merenda, Quinten Lynch; 4 Andrew Embley; 3 Phil Matera, David Haynes; 2 David Wirrpanda; 1 Chris Judd, Darren Glass.
Brownlow Medal: Ben Cousins 3, Scott Camporeale 2, Simon Fletcher 1
