The Eagles may have fallen to East Perth by 57 points in round seven of the season, but today they showcased their development throughout the year with a two-point win.
While the 14.8 (92) to 13.12 (90) victory came as no easy feat with the Royals snaring the first three majors of the match, West Coast hit back in quick succession to take home their third win of the season.
Nathan Vardy was the best Eagle afield today with 31 hitouts, seven marks, and three goals, while Alex Witherden’s composure shone through with 25 disposals, eight marks and three tackles.
Jackson Nelson also put together a strong performance, playing onball to finish with 32 disposals, nine tackles and a goal.
Jordan Busher, Jarrod Garlett and Kieren Hug must also be praised for their efforts in the forward-line, applying solid defensive pressure to lock the ball inside 50 when needed and taking home at least one major each for the day.
It was a rocky start for the West Coast outfit, with East Perth coming out firing, but the Eagles quickly hit back with five consecutive goals and took the lead into quarter time.
Nathan Vardy was the best for the term, his aerial prowess on full display as he rose above the pack on multiple occasions and set himself up with two goals for the quarter.
The last fortnight saw the Eagles concede 12 goals in second quarters over two matches, but today the side narrowly won the term after scoring three majors and three points.
Jordan Busher snared the first goal of the term, with captain Hamish Brayshaw following suit after a terrific mark inside 50 and a solid 40 metre major.
Cooper Nitschke rounded off the Eagles’ goals for the quarter, with a 40-metre snap of his own, before the Royals fought back with two in the closing minutes.
After an impassioned speech from Brayshaw at the half-time break, West Coast came out of the gates hungry for the win, and put together a strong third quarter.
Joey Deegan set up a terrific play inside 50 early, with a quick-fire handball to Hug resulting in a goal from Nelson.
Isiah Winder also snared a goal from 40 metres out in his third match back from injury, while AFL-listed Ben Johnson put together a solid performance with one of his own, alongside 22 disposals, four marks and two tackles for the match.
Utility ruckmen Bailey Williams and Nathan Vardy also snapped one apiece, with Vardy’s classy snap from 50 metres out a cause for team celebration.
In the fourth quarter, The Royals attempted a comeback mission to no avail, unable to combat the Eagles’ 11 individual goal scorers for the day.
The side did significantly narrow the margin after snapping five consecutive goals and holding the Eagles scoreless, but West Coast’s 38-point lead managed to keep them in the game and they eventually won the match by two points.
WEST COAST 5.4 8.7 14.8 14.8 (92)
EAST PERTH 3.0 6.2 8.6 13.12 (90)
GOALS
West Coast: Vardy 3, Busher 2, Ainsworth, Brayshaw, Gartlett, Hug, Johnson, Nelson, Nitschke, Williams, Winder
East Perth: Young 3, Merritt, Simpson 2, Edwards-Baldwin, Jones, Lynch, Magro, Ramsay, Wright
BEST
West Coast: Vardy, Nelson, Brayshaw, Witherden, Busher, Foley, Johnson
East Perth: Scott, Ramsay, Blee, Kerr, Young, Simpson
