After a heartbreaking 13-point loss against Perth in their first match of the season, the Eagles proved themselves at home today with a 56-point win.
The 15.9 (99) to 6.7 (43) was a clean sweep across quarters, with West Coast coming out firing and snaring five goals to the Demons’ one in the first term.
From there, forward line trio Jordan Busher, Kieran Hug and Jarrod Gartlett continued the offensive attack to finish with a combination of 11 goals and 19 marks for the day.
In the midfield, Jackson Nelson (24 disposals, three marks, four tackles, one goal) put in a solid effort onball, while Alex Witherden (40 disposals, 11 marks, one tackle), Jarrod Brander (33, 13, two) and Luke Foley (19, four, one) must also be commended for their work in the back line.
In the match, West Coast made a statement in the first quarter with an early major from Busher, but saw a rapid response from Perth as they kicked one of their own to level the scoreboard.
The Eagles then answered with another four goals before the first term break, and were unable to be stopped as they continued the offensive onslaught.
Gartlett was best for the quarter with two goals bolstering the scoreboard and providing West Coast with a 25-point lead at quarter time.
In the second West Coast booted another six to add to the high-scoring affair, coming into the break with a 50-point lead after three combined goals from key marking targets Nathan Vardy and Busher.
The third quarter started slowly as both sides began to tire, with the Demons notching just one point at the halfway mark, while the Eagles were unable to touch the scoreboard.
Even Gartlett’s candy man manoeuvre and Liam Robillard’s mark inside 50 remained unconverted.
At the 20-minute point, Perth were able to sneak a late goal through, with the margin slightly narrowing to 44 points.
They were able to carry the momentum with a second snap just a minute later, but the Eagles answered quickly with a terrific pack mark from Gartlett indirectly resulting in a goal from Kieran Hug.
In the fourth, captain Hamish Brayshaw kicked the first for the quarter, followed by Busher with his fourth of the day.
Lennon Marlin also managed one before the final siren, to hand the Eagles a 56-point win.
West Coast scored just four more points than round one against Perth, but were able to hold the side to just 43 points, in comparison to 108 in the first match of the season.
WEST COAST 5.1 11.4 12.6 15.9 (99)
PERTH 1.0 3.2 5.5 6.7 (43)
GOALS
West Coast: Busher 4, Gartlett 3, Hug, Vardy 2, Nelson, Foley, Brayshaw, Marlin
Perth: Stubbs 3, McPartland, Edmonds, Nicholas
BEST
West Coast: Witherden, Busher, Brander, Nelson, Gartlett, Vardy, Hug, Marlin
Perth: Avery, Fisher, Edmonds, Nicholas, McPartland, Stubbs, Taylor
