RECAP: West Coast Eagles mauled in savage Western Bulldogs defeat
Fremantle fans will be cheering on West Coast to cause an almighty boilover in their clash against the Western Bulldogs.
An Eagles upset would lock in the Dockers for finals action, while a loss will thrust Freo into a virtual elimination final against the same opponent.
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Dogs 73, Eagles 24
Long has given West Coast a strong start in the second half.
A nice lowering of the eyes entering 50 finds the small forward in space on the lead.
HALF-TIME: Western Bulldogs 73, West Coast 13
16 Eagles have only had single figure touches at the main break, summing up a dismal first half.
It’s clear the Dogs are preparing for finals footy but West Coast are playing without a goal in mind.
They are aimless, loose and way off the mark.
There might not be many leaders left on the field but outside of stand-in skipper Baker, no one is standing tall.
Maric leads the Eagles with 18 disposals while Baker is the next best with 13.
Dogs 72, Eagles 17
Any Fremantle fans who might have braved the Eagles bandwagon are long gone now.
The young Eagles could be in for a historically bad day.
Their best efforts at the moment leave them barely clinging on.
Dogs 47, Eagles 7
Flynn’s goal is quickly undone as the Dogs slam through three.
Father/son Croft gets his maiden AFL major after Naughton got in the way of his first attempt.
Dogs 29, Eagles 7
Flynn finds the Eagles’ first and his fifth of the season.
It was a long kick in to an out-number but Flynn padded the ball up to himself and took the grab in the middle of a blue pack.
Nic Nat looked pleased in the stands.
QUARTER TIME: Western Bulldogs 29, West Coast 1
The Eagles register a goalless first term and their Marvel Stadium struggles look to be about to reach new lows.
In their defence, the Dogs’ defence has been elite through the first term.
They are stepping up and applying tackles at every opportunity.
The Eagles need a touch of leadership to help turn the momentum, there is too much panic in their actions.
McCarthy and Maric have nine touches each but have not been able to do a lot with them.
Dogs 26, Eagles 1
Bontempelli misses a set shot on the full that would have been his 250th AFL goal but West Coast’s resistance is falling.
The defence is being peppered as turnovers up the ground put them under immense pressure.
Ginbey us battling hard while Cole and McCarthy are trying to rebound but the Dogs are allowing zero space and tackling strongly.
Dogs 13, Eagles 1
And Darcy has two! Another mark and major for the big man.
Some errors starting to creep into West Coast’s game and the Dogs have taken full toll. Can the Eagles hang tough?
Dogs 7, Eagles 1
Sam Darcy gets the first in what could be a big bag today, with no Harry Edwards and of course no Jeremy McGovern in West Coast’s defence.
The rising star converts from just inside 50 as part of a slick build-up.
Bailey Dale is already bossing things across half-back for the home side, racking up seven disposals not even halfway through the opening term.
Dogs 1, Eagles 1
WA’s own Tim English can’t get the home side underway, spraying a free kick in front of goal.
Campbell Chesser has been enterprising early with a couple of tackles. Very early, but West Coast appear up for the challenge.
