RECAP: Undermanned West Coast hopes to add to Melbourne Demons pain at Marvel
It’s West Coast’s last realistic chance for a win as they face a Melbourne team under the blowtorch after a historic loss.
Simon Goodwin could be fighting for his job while the Eagles are without Harley Reid with a loss tonight all but confirming a second wooden spoon in three seasons.
It’s a battle of the battlers but who can dig deep to give their fans something to hold on to.
Follow all the action live.
End of Q3 Melbourne 16.9 (105) West Coast 6.6 (42)
Ugly, ugly, ugly.
It’s been a trend all year and once again the Eagles dish up a quarter of uncompetitiveness.
They started ok going goal for goal to start before watching the ball sail over the heads for the next 15 minutes.
Maric uis still the highest rated player up to 25 touches and 533 metres gained. But other than Chesser there’s few positives out of this one.
Normal service resumes
More centre clearance wins and the Eagles can barely get a touch on the ball.
Harrison Petty is outmarking defenders left and right and Bayley Fristch has two goals i minute.
The Demons have kicked 10 goals to three this quarter and the margin is out to a whopping 63 points.
Cripps breaks the Demons run
Again it comes off some half-back transition, and Cripps, who’s had a very quiet day has been a dead-eye this year and slides it through.
Just his third touch for the day.
Max Gawn adds a goal to his game
The match is now over as Gawn makes it five straight goals with another contested mark.
He’s got 21 hit-outs 18 touches with eight intercept possesions.
Melbourne kicking away
Tom Cole misses a snap on goal and West Coast cannot let the Demons keep getting out the back.
Petracca could kick it himself but passes it off to Langford who kicks from the square.
Harry Edwards then gives away another free kick from hands in the back and van Rooyen kicks his second.
The margin is out to 38.
MEL 11.8 (74) WCE 5.6 (36)
Chesser with a goal!
West Coast control the ball well and Tyrell Dewar is smart not to bomb the ball inside 50.
He holds it up, allowing Chesser to drift in from the wing and take an uncontested mark.
He converst and the Eagles get around him.
MEL 8.8 (56) WCE 5.5 (35)
Culley gets one over the Eagles
Players out everywhere as the Demons sythe their way up the field.
Culley takes the mark about 20m and converts, giving a tug on his jumper and pointing to the Demons faithful.
More pain for Eagles fans.
Ryan gets his first
He’s flown for a few today but finally clunks this one after some good transition work from the Eagles.
He converts from about 40m out to keep the Eagles in touch.
MEL 7.8 (50) WCE 4.4 (28)
Baker with a costly miss
A lack of communication from the Demons defence allows West Coast to keep the ball alive.
Eagles get it to Baker but he misses from 40m out directly in front.
Melbourne just waltz the ball down the other end and Kade Chandler gets the first goal of the second half.
MEL 7.7 (49) WCE 3.4 (22)
We’re back underway
In good news, Liam Ryan is back on the ground with a heavy bandage around his head.
