RECAP: West Coast Eagles woeful goal kicking hands Richmond drought-breaking win at MCG

Make that 3.16 as Waterman’s soccer from the goalsquare skews just wide.

Amazing scenes here at the ‘G as the Eagles are starting to flirt with historic inaccuracy now.

THREE FIFTEEN!

Shanahan misses a very gettable set shot to continue the day’s theme. What is going on out there?!

Waterman issues an impassioned plea to his teammates in the huddle in the moments before the siren, and the second half gets underway.

The Eagles would need their second-largest MCG comeback of all time when it comes to half-time deficits if they’re going to secure this one. They rallied from 23 down to beat Collingwood in 1995.

That was West Coast’s least accurate first half at the MCG in club history (with a minimum of 10 scoring shots).

The Eagles have had six more inside-50s than their opponents, and six more clearances, but simply aren’t converting despite getting some great looks.

16 shots to 11... and yet the Eagles find themselves 15 points down.

They’ve messed around and sprayed so many chances, and while Richmond haven’t exactly put the foot down, they’ve done enough to hold a handy buffer at home.

Reid has been superb so far with 14 contested disposals among his 19 touches and six clearances. Waterman has had a ton of opportunities, but his tally of 1.4 sums up his and West Coast’s 2026.

There’s plenty of work to do when the match resumes after the break. Can the Eagles come from behind?

Murdock comes up CLUTCH with a key tackle to ping Tom Brown holding the ball...

...and then somehow misses the set shot from 25m out directly in front.

West Coast are 3.13...!

Tom Lynch goals after a 50m penalty as the Eagles are made to pay for more ill discipline.

The vistors can’t afford to concede another in the closing three minutes of the opening half...

Harley Reid’s free-kick count has been a talking point all week amid the Eagles seeking clarity from the AFL on the way their star is officiated.

And there’s been a significant development very early in this one.

Reid has earned a whopping SIX free kicks so far - in a quarter-and-a-half of footy. All appear to have been there, but that’s a massive number... when you consider the Eagles’ all-time record for frees for in a full game is 8!

On the other end of the scale, he’s yet to concede a free...

Taranto snaps a ripper from deep in the pocket - the Dom Sheed Pocket - and the Tigers restore their advantage.

Soon after, Ralpsmith adds a second after a diving mark.

Herbert is up to a whopping 17 disposals, while there’s an interesting wrinkle to the aftermath of the Eagles’ chats with the AFL about the way Harley Reid is umpired.

It’s 5 free kicks for, and 0 free kicks against, when it comes to Reid so far. That’s a much better looking ledger for West Coast fans to read!

Tom Cole, come on down!

One of just three premiership players out there gets the job done - after his team had booted a collective 2.10.

Cole snaps a beauty out of the stoppage. 8 goals for the year for him now in his new role.

West Coast back on level terms, and really should be 2 or 3 goals in front here.