The WAFL Eagles produced an incredible upset win over the undefeated South Fremantle Bulldogs on Saturday, securing their first win of the season at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Eagles had been showing positive signs in patches in their first four games and managed to deliver an inspiring four-quarter performance on Saturday for the 12.10 (82) to 9.12 (66) triumph.

Senior coach Kyal Horsley said the win was a great reward for the playing group.

“We took on top-of-the-table South Fremantle and managed to get our first win which was a great feeling for the group,” Horsley said.

“It was a pleasing four-quarter performance, our players started the game well and got out to a handy lead at half time and then were able to withstand South Fremantle’s challenges throughout the second half.

 “It was great reward to our playing group who have showed real resilience during the start of the season and have kept looking for ways to get better as a group.”

Top Performers:

Sandy Brock

We gave Sandy the challenge of playing on one of the competition's best forwards (Trey Ruscoe) and not only did he execute his role, but he also showed his team-first nature and continued to play our defensive system.

Bailey Williams

Baz split his time between ruck and forward and he was a threat in all areas he played, he was the dominate big man on the ground.

Malakai Champion

Malakai continued his run of good form with his best game for the year, and he was one of the best on ground. He showed his contest work with some high-level ground ball wins which opened the game up and finished the game with two goals to compliment his work and pressure up the ground.

AFL Listed Players:

Jobe Shanahan

Jobe showed his versatility as a player with some high-level pressure, tackles and smother and complimented that with his aerial game. He took six marks and was rarely beaten in the air, finishing with two goals a strong game.

Clay Hall

It was a solid four-quarter performance from Clay, he showed his ability to win it on the inside with 17 contested possessions and six clearances but also hurt on the outside gathering 13 uncontested possessions and four inside 50s.

Coen Livingstone

I thought the pressure Coen was applying at ground level was a standout and this kept him in the game. He was able to kick two goals off the back of it, with one being a brilliant chase down, dispossessing the South player and kicking a tough running goal, which lifted his teammates.

Hamish Davis

Hamma only played three quarters as he was the emergency for AFL, but he had a big influence on the result. His ground coverage at speed helps the team in all phases and his ball use and composure was evident.

Tom Gross

Tom played as a forward for the first time in Eagles colours and took to it like a duck to water. His ball use in the front half is extremely damaging and he was able to create three goal assists from his 19 possessions.

Tyrell Dewar

Tyrell played as a half back all game and his drive from the back half was evident. We don’t have a ‘meters gained’ stat but it would have been high, his class by foot was on show going at 88% from his 16 kicks.

Harvey Johnston

Similar to Hamish, Harvey’s ground coverage at speed benefits the team in all phases, and his ball use by hand and foot opened the game up for us in offence.

Harry Barnett

Harry played as a second ruck, playing in a combative nature when in the ruck against South’s two big men, and while up forward he was able to provide a contest and give our smalls good looks at ground level.

Lucca Grego

We got to see the real competitor with Lucca, I thought late in the game when South Fremantle were making a comeback he really stood up, making some big tackles and won some crucial 50/50 balls. This topped off what was an even four-quarter performance.

Noah Long

Remarkably, all Noah’s possessions were kicks, and this was generated by his high football IQ and work rate. He sees the game before others and either wins the ball back for us in defence or he gets separation and finds space in offence to where his ball use hurts the opposition.

Jack Petruccelle

It was a mature game from Petch, he played forward and a bit of inside mid, having an impact in both areas. His marking was a feature and his ground level pressure created multiple turnovers in our front half.

Callum Jamieson

Cal built on his return from a long-term injury last week, and was able to play more minutes, with his output remaining high throughout the entire game. His leadership and calmness were crucial in our side seeing out the win.

Loch Rawlinson

Loch found the balance this week with taking the tackle and trying to dispose of it, and his game grew off the back of it. It was a pleasing performance from Loch and good reward for the work he his putting in.

Rhett Bazzo

Rhett again showed his versatility, football IQ and defensive craft by playing on talls and smalls both deep and high up the ground. He halved some big contests early which took the momentum away from South Fremantle and I thought his ability to control the tempo of our offence showed a real maturity and game sense.