The WAFL Eagles’ three-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as East Perth proved too strong in a 43-point loss at Mineral Resources Park.
In ideal football conditions, West Coast entered the round looking to make it four wins in a row, while East Perth carried plenty of motivation of their own as they pushed towards a top three spot on the ladder.
The Royals set the tone early, striking first through Sebit Kuek and controlling territory throughout the opening exchanges. East Perth’s pressure and run out of the midfield created repeat inside-50 entries. While early opportunities weren’t fully capitalised on, goals to Ben Middleton and Mitch Schofield soon gave the visitors a 28-point lead.
East Perth continued to build momentum as goals to Schofield extend the margin further, before pushing the lead beyond five goals through slick ball movement and speed in transition.
West Coast steadied late in the quarter, finding cleaner ball movement through the corridor. Jack Williams converted the Eagles’ first major before Harvey Johnston capped off a strong passage of play with a composed finish, reducing the margin to 21-points at quarter time and keeping the contest within reach.
Captain Callum Jamieson opened the scoring in the second term for the Eagles, to trim the deficit to 17-points as the contest settled into a more even rhythm.
But East Perth continued to respond whenever challenged with Tom Medhat converting after a strong mark before Jamie Cripps answered for the Eagles to again reduce the margin to 18-points.
Schofield added his second as the Royals maintained their advantage, and a late goal just before the main break saw East Perth take a 29-point lead into halftime.
Hoping to spark a second-half response, the Eagles were met with immediate resistance as East Perth began piling on goals through Middleton, Schofield and Kade Screaigh as the margin quickly blew out beyond 50-points.
Jamieson provided a much-needed response with his second goal, but the Royals continued to assert their authority, with Medhat and Middleton again hitting the scoreboard to push the lead out to 59-points at three-quarter time.
To the Eagles’ credit, the fight remained in the final term. Jack Williams and Jack Hutchinson kicked back-to-back goals to briefly reduce the margin, but East Perth quickly answered through Darcy Craven with a classy running goal to continue their dominance.
Jack Williams continued to be a strong presence up forward, kicking his third after a brilliant contested mark, but a goal to Tyler Lindberg extended the Royals’ lead once more.
Harry Barnett added a late major for West Coast, but it proved too little too late as East Perth closed out a comprehensive victory.
Schofield was influential throughout for the Royals, finishing with three goals and 11 marks while consistently impacting plays both with and without the ball.
Hamish Brayshaw and Angus Scott dominated the midfield battle with 33 disposals each, while Ben Middleton was a constant threat, finishing with four goals after a dominant third quarter.
For the Eagles, Jamieson stood tall as captain under heavy pressure, finishing with two goals and leading by example.
Jack Williams was influential in attack with three majors, while Rhett Bazzo battled solidly in defence to finish with 20 disposals and eight marks.
Tom Gross continued his strong form with 20 disposals in another impressive performance. Clay Hall was dominant through the middle also finishing with 20 touches.
The WAFL Eagles will look to respond next week when they take on reigning premiers South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval, with bounce down scheduled for 1.40pm.
West Coast: 2.2, 8.9, 5.6, 9.11 (65)
East Perth: 5.5, 9.9, 14.11, 16.12 (108)
Goals
West Coast: J. Williams (3), Jamieson (2), Barnett (2), Johnston, Cripps, Hutchinson.
East Perth: Middleton (4), Schofield (3), Craven (2), Medhat (2), Kuek, Ameduri, Screaigh, Lindberg.
Best
West Coast: Jamieson, Bazzo, Hall, Gross, Hutchinson, Grego, Flynn.
East Perth: Schofield, Brayshaw, Middleton, Scott, North, Craven.
