The West Coast Eagles showed their capacity to win on the road with a solid 38–point victory Hawthorn at the MCG today, winning 14.14 (98) to 8.12 (60).

It was a dour, workmanlike performance, but it got the job done as the Eagles won their fifth game of the season.

Thanks to the brilliance of Tim Kelly, Dom Sheed and Andrew Gaff through the midfield, the Eagles shook off a sluggish start and opened up the game with a seven-goal second quarter.

With a strong level of supply, the Eagles had too many options in attack with Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Jake Waterman causing problems for the Hawks defence.

As well, Brendon Ah Chee produced one of the best games of his career, finishing with four goals.

Down back the young Eagles defence also held up brilliantly. With just one member of the club’s defensive unit from the 2018 grand final in action, it was a different look, but they were resolute.

Tom Cole, who was the only premiership player in the back half, Brad Sheppard and Josh Rotham co-ordinated the defensive cohesion and Hawthorn found it difficult to break through and score.

It was an important win for the club, relishing the opportunity to return to the MCG on a spectacular autumn day.

00:38

Ah Chee scores his 4th major

Brendan Ah Chee casually snaps a great goal from the boundary for his 4th goalw

After a sluggish first quarter when neither team could hit the scoreboard it was the inclusions in this team – Ah Chee and Bailey Williams who kick-started the Eagles assault.

Ah Chee kicked two goals in as many minutes early in the second term and Williams took a couple of strong marks, something the Eagles had struggled to do in the opening term.

Williams missed his first two shots, but gleefully converted when the Hawks fluffed an attempted switch out of defence.

Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy also began to impose themselves, with Kennedy central to a wonderful passage that netted the Eagles their third.

After a kick-in from a behind, Jamaine Jones crumbed the ball of the pick just backward of centre, accelerated away and hit Kennedy with a lace out pass.

He continued to run, received the handball and then threaded it through from about 40 metres.

00:34

Team song: West Coast

Watch the Eagles celebrate their round eight win

Details
West Coast Eagles           0.5         7.9              11.11     14.14     (98)
Hawthorn                         0.3         3.6              5.10      8.12      (60)

Goals

West Coast Eagles: Ah Chee 4; Darling, Petruccelle 2; Kennedy, Williams, Jones, Waterman.

Hawthorn: Lewis, Hanrahan, Worpel 2; Howe, Impey.

Best

West Coast Eagles: Gaff, Kelly, Ah Chee, Sheed, Darling, Sheppard, Redden, Brander.

Hawthorn: Impey, Wingard, Scrimshaw, Mitchell, Breust, Worpel.