Two separate bursts of team football, capped by the individual brilliance of Jack Darling and Dom Sheed, powered the West Coast Eagles to an important  27-point victory over Collingwood in front of a packed house at Optus Stadium.

The crowd of 54,159 was the biggest assembly at any event in the southern hemisphere since the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. And, in the main they relished what they saw.

In the first instance a surge that help wrest back control from the Magpies was generated off the back of some sublime attacking football from Jack Darling in the second term.

And then, in the third quarter, it was Dom Sheed who unleashed the knockout blow with three crucial finishing touches in red time.

Darling kicked four goals in a remarkable second quarter while Sheed kicked three in the last four minutes of the third.

And at the other end of the ground, acting skipper Jeremey McGovern was exceptional, intercepting so many Collingwood attacking thrusts and then sending the ball on an offensive journey to towards the attacking half of the ground.

Alex Witherden, in his first game for the club was also important, with Liam Duggan and Brad Sheppard.   

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Jeremy McGovern of the Eagles and Darcy Cameron of the Magpies in action during the 2021 AFL Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on April 16, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)

The Pies edged within 21 points with seven minutes remaining before Darling finished it in style, bagging his fifth with a free 20 metres from goal. And to keep pace with his attacking cohort, Allen put the result beyond doubt with three minutes remaining collecting a handful for himself.

The Eagles looked in trouble in the last 10 minutes of the first quarter as the Magpies took a hold on the game.

Brodie Grundy was dangerous both in the ruck and when pushing forward and in conjunction with Darcy Moore propelled the Pies to the early ascendancy, dominating the aerial battles when they also had a strong and steady flow of opportunities.

An inside count that read 18-8 translated to a 15-point lead.


But deep into the quarter some issues began to emerge for Collingwood as Jordan De Goey left the ground under the blood rule after an accidental collision in the centre bounce. He returned but only briefly and was subbed out of the game.

After the first change, the response came from the Eagles, led brilliantly by Jack Darling.

With the midfield, through Jack Redden, Andrew Gaff, Dom Sheed and Tim Kelly creating more opportunities, the Eagles pumped it inside 50 and their tall targets were causing bedlam, particularly Darling.

The athletic forward kicked four goals in the quarter, two from strong contested, one after being held in a marking contest and the fourth a reward for a fierce tackle on Pies defender Isaac Quaynor.

It was about that juncture of the Jeremy Howe, unfortunately, appeared to suffer a knee injury as he prepared for a marking contest with Allen. To add insult to injury Allen converted and followed up again in the dying stages of the quarter.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Oscar Allen of the Eagles celebrates kicking his 5th goal during the 2021 AFL Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on April 16, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)


Oscar Allen finished the quarter off with another strong contested mark in the 32nd minute and the Eagles powered to a two-goal half-time cushion. While the margin was manageable the momentum in the game had swung and the Eagles looked in control.

And so it continued in the third term, kicking out to a 25-point margin before the Pies started to turn the game and field position back in their favour.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Dom Sheed of the Eagles in action during the 2021 AFL Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on April 16, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

 

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Jack Darling of the Eagles kicks on goal during the 2021 AFL Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on April 16, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

 

An important moment came when Collingwood was pressing and looked to get the ball to captain Scott Pendlebury. Young star Jarrod Brander ghosted across, marked the footy and hit the ground running.

He found Jake Waterman in space, who, in turn delivered to Sheed.

Watch the Eagles celebrate their round five win

The smooth left-footer wheeled inside 50 and nailed it. Two more from the 2018 grand final hero and the Eagles had a comfortable seven-goal advantage at the last change.

Details
West Coast Eagles            3.1          9.5          14.6        16.7       103
Collingwood                       5.4          7.5          7.7         11.10       76
Goals – West Coast Eagles: Darling, Allen 5; Sheed 3; Kelly, Kennedy, Brander. Collingwood: Moore 3; Mihocek, Grundy, McCreery 2; Brown, Cameron
Best – West Coast Eagles: McGovern, Redden, Darling, Allen, Sheed, Duggan, Witherden. Collingwood: Miohcek, Crisp, Pendlebury, Grundy, Moore.
Injuries – West Coast Eagles: Tom Cole (head), Josh Rotham (head)          Collingwood: DeGoey (nose), Howe (hamstring)
Attendance: 54,159