Follow live: West Coast Eagles in tough road clash with GWS before Fremantle Dockers host Western Bulldogs
It’s a big Sunday for our WA clubs, with West Coast facing a monster challenge on the road against GWS before Fremantle host the Western Bulldogs.
Follow all the action below, with the Eagles to begin at 11.10am (WA time) before Freo’s 3.10pm bouncedown.
Eagles Sub
Hamish Davis is on for his first minutes in place of Noah Long.
Giants 82, Eagles 34
Gross has his first and it’s a bomb from outside 50!
He wanted to try it earlier in the match but got run down but this time he splits the big sticks.
Cole intercepted a loose handball and the Eagles navigated some traffic before Gross unleashed.
Giants 73, Eagles 28
Jack Williams gets on the end of a nice running chain on the outer wing and the Eagles get the first goal of the second half.
Maric missed an easy handball coming out of defence but the Eagles won the second chance and looked dangerous in space.
McQualter will be looking for small wins and that is one.
HALFTIME: Giants 73, Eagles 22
West Coast have problems all over the field as the Giants boast the top eight ball winners and their forwards are making the most of it.
On the positive side, the Eagles worked their way into the game in the last 10 minutes of that term with Cripps kicking two goals to give the young side hope.
The midfields’ lack of defensive responsibilty is really hurting though as Brock and Ginbey are put under the pump.
The Giants have had more than 80 more disposals and lead the inside 50s by 10.
Giants 61, Eagles 15
Owies has taken a courageous grab after being tunnelled by Greene in the forward 50.
It was not deliberate from Greene as he tried to come from the other way and braced himself.
Owies gets up after a look from medical staff as he landed on his neck but the set shot goes out on the full.
Giants 60, Eagles 14
Debutant Gross missed his chance for a first AFL goal but Cripps made no such errors after winning an arm chop free kick.
The Eagles finally get repeat entries and make one count.
Much-needed goal is a massive understatement.
Giants 48, Eagles 7
The Giants continue to run amok in the middle as they lead centre clearances seven to two.
This time Harley Reid is caught out of position and Toby Greene gets on the end of an easy kick.
He slots his second major after Hogan grabbed his third to start the quarter.
QUARTER TIME: Giants 5.6 (36), Eagles 1.1 (7)
Hogan adds a second late in the quarter and it’s a big lead to the home side at the first break.
Greene has been superb with nine touches, a goal, and a couple of assists, while Darcy Jones, Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield have all been very active.
Harley Reid’s move to half-back has yielded five touches and 191 metres gained so far. But the Eagles’ prime movers are struggling to get it done in the middle, with Jack Graham and Tim Kelly subdued early. What can Andrew McQualter trigger to help change the direction of this game?
Giants 30, Eagles 7
That’s a SHOCKER from Tyrell Dewar.
He misses a short pass badly deep in defence, punting it over Tom Cole’s head and giving Toby Greene an absolute gift.
Q1 5min remaining: Giants 23, Eagles 7
The Eagles are on the board!
Archer Reid takes a fine contested mark close to goal and converts. He won the wrestle with Jack Buckley and will look to carry over his encouraging form from late in last week’s derby.
Can it give West Coast a bit of a spark close to the first change?
