Eagles tune up with easy win

WEST Coast has made it three wins from four games this pre-season, kicking away in the second half to beat Melbourne by 38 points at Casey Fields on Saturday.

The Dees led early in the third quarter, but impressive performances from Andrew Embley, Mitch Brown, Nic Naitanui and Ash Hansen, who kicked three goals, saw the Eagles home 18.16 (124) to 12.14 (86).

Cameron Bruce, Joel Macdonald, Nathan Jones and Brad Green were the Demons’ better players ahead of their round one clash with Hawthorn on March 27.

Young Eagle Brad Ebert, who was knocked out, was the game’s only casualty.

West Coast’s Mark Nicoski enjoyed a good game across half-forward and said the trip to Cranbourne - the side’s first road mission of the pre-season - was an ideal way to head into a round one clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

“We know all our set-ups and our style of play, so we just went out there to play football and we did that pretty well,” Nicoski said.

“We’ve got a lot of good run coming out of the backline, so that’s all looking positive.”

Key West Coast midfielders Daniel Kerr and Matt Priddis were playing their first matches since the side’s NAB Cup opener on February 12, and Nicoski said the pair had pulled up well.

Key position player Mitch Brown was used at either end of the ground, while exciting ruckman Nic Naitanui completed a consistent pre-season with two goals.   

“It was similar to what he’s dished up the last few weeks,” Nicoski said.

“He just sort of flashed in and out of the game as he does and tackled really hard. It’s really encouraging the way he’s going.

“Luke (Shuey) had another good game playing on the wing, so he was the standout of those young guys.”