The West Coast Eagles WAFL team scrambled to a two-point win over Fremantle’s partner club Peel at HBF Arena today, emerging victorious 6.13 (49) to 7.5 (47).
After a slow start the Eagles controlled play for long periods without get maximum return for effort.
As the number of scoring shots indicated, the Eagles ventured inside the attacking 50 more often than their opponents, but failed to capitalise.
It took a long bomb from Michael Humble, fairest and best in the Peel Football League last season, to kick the winning major with about three minutes remaining in the final term.
While the result was positive, West Coast will look to sharpen their ball movement and efficiency when the season starts in a month.
There were a number of positive performances from the West Coast team, with young defenders Josh Rotham, resuming from a slight hamstring strain, Harry Edwards and Francis Watson all putting in solid efforts.
Through the midfield, Hamish Brayshaw and Brayden Ainsworth probably won more of the ball than anyone else on the ground, while ruckman Tom Hickey was prominent in tandem with Fraser McInnes and youngster Callum Jamieson did some good things.
Anthony Treacy and Jamaine Jones were menacing up forward, with former North Beach midfielder Sam Lamont also doing some good work.
West Coast 0.4 2.8 5.9 6.13 49
Peel 3.2 4.2 6.5 7.5 47
Goals – Eagles: Hickey, Treacy, Humphries, Jamieson, Lamont, Humble.
Best – Eagles: Rotham, McInnes, Edwards, Brayshaw, Hickey, Watson, Ainsworth.
