The WAFL Eagles completed the ultimate comeback on Sunday afternoon, fighting back from 35 points down against West Perth to secure the 17.5 (107) v 12.20 (92) victory at Mineral Resources Park.
After a tight contest in the first half, West Perth kicked away in the third term to push the margin out to 35 points, before the Eagles finished the quarter with five-straight majors, to trail by just five points going into the fourth.
The Falcon’s kicked the first goal if the final term, before the Eagles found their feet and kicked the final five goals of the game to seal the 15-point win.
Young Eagles' forward Jack Williams stood tall, finishing with four goals for the day, two of those coming at crucial times in the final quarter.
Tom Cole was a pillar in the Eagles backline, managing 29 touches, nine marks and five tackles, while fellow defender Rhett Bazzo impressed with 24 touches and a game-high12 marks.
While the Falcon’s inaccuracy in front of goal ultimately cost them, Bernie Naylor Medallist Tyler Keitel finished with four goals, while Connor West (42 disposals) and Kane Bevan (36) were dominant around the ground.
It was a competitive back-and-forth game in the first half, Eagle Harvey Johnston kicking the first goal of the game within the first minute, with the Falcons responding in kind through Darcy Dixon.
Goals to Archie Watt, Malakai Champion, Sasha Kernutt and Harry Barnett sent the Eagles into the quarter-time siren with a handy six-point lead.
The home side did well to stop West Perth from gaining momentum throughout the game, with the Falcon’s struggling to capitalise when given the opportunity.
West Perth held a 10-point lead at halftime, before taking control at the start of the third term, kicking five-straight goals to push out the margin and put the Eagles on the back foot.
The Eagles never gave up and continuing to fight hard against the Falcons, with a goal to J Williams breaking the drought, and gave the Eagles the boost to start a five-straight goal run of their own.
Fans were on the edge of their seats as the Eagles not only managed to bridge the gap in the final term, but continued to charge and seal the deal for their first win of the season.
The WAFL Eagles return to Mineral Resources Park in round three to take on Subiaco, bouncedown at 11:10am on Sunday 19 April.
WEST COAST: 5.2 6.4 12.5 17.5 (107)
WEST PERTH: 3.8 6.14 11.16 12.20 (92)
GOALS
West Coast: J Williams 4; Kernutt, Champion, Datson 2; Johnston, Watt, Barnett, Lucassen, T Williams, Gross, Edwards-Baldwin
West Perth: Keitel 4; Demarte, Dixon 2; Knott, Hinder, Livingstone, West
BEST
West Coast: Champion, Cole, Dewar, Kernutt, Bazzo, Walsh
West Perth: West, Bevan, Keitel, Hinder, Guadagnin, Nelson
