A handful of players were stuck in a lift at the team hotel on the afternoon of the club’s first match at Marvel Stadium, but that failed to stall the team’s assignment against St Kilda.
While sitting on the lift floor, Jack Darling pulled out a deck of cards to help pass the time away. Actually, the five men who spent 45 minutes on an unscheduled elevator ride might plan for a game of cards on future trips because all were key contributors in an 18-point victory against the Saints.
Elliot Yeo received nine out of a possible 10 in the coaches’ award, Andrew Gaff racked up 30 possessions, and Darling took eight marks and kicked the last goal which was the punctuation mark on the triumph. Liam Ryan had 17 possessions, a goal and several eye-catching marks, while Oscar Allen had his most productive night in a month.
The Eagles started well, were in control for the most part, and should have won by more than three goals. Indeed, had it not been for a wasteful 1.8 in the last term – and a few junk time goals by the Saints – the score would have provided a more accurate reflection of the game.
Led by Yeo, Gaff, Luke Shuey and Dom Sheed through the midfield, the Eagles had a firm grip on the game throughout, while Josh Kennedy and Darling were threatening all night and Ryan took some spectacular grabs.
While the key forwards were not dominant, Kennedy kicked two important goals during a third quarter Eagles surge. The second of those majors came after a towering mark that earned a mark-of-the-year nomination.
In addition, Jamie Cripps, in his 150th AFL outing, set the standard for work rate, which was important in ticking over the scoreboard consistently.
St Kilda had their moments too, but when they did threaten the West Coast defence held firm.
Led by captain Shannon Hurn, who repelled countless attacking moves, and by Jeremy McGovern and Liam Duggan, the Eagles rebounded strongly, their ball use out of the back half important in the transition to attack.
While the Eagles had all the answers and it was largely driven by the senior group, the impact of younger players in the team was pivotal.
Of the emerging players, Allen led the charge, but other important, if not match winning, contributions came from the likes of Daniel Venables, Ryan, Petruccelle and Jake Waterman, who returned to play his first game since the opening round.
Waterman had been on the cusp of a return earlier after strong WAFL form, but separate hamstring and quad injuries prevented his recall. He played a high half-forward role and gathered many of his 13 touches up the ground.
Round 8, 2019
Marvel Stadium
St Kilda 2.1 4.5 6.8 10.10 70
West Coast Eagles 3.3 5.6 11.8 12.16 88
Goals
St Kilda: Kent, Billings 2; Bruce, Gresham, Sinclair, Steele, Savage, Membrey
West Coast Eagles: Cripps, Kennedy, Petruccelle, O Allen 2; Sheed, Venables, Darling, Ryan
