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.
Melbourne with the first three
Some more horrid defedning and ball use to turn the ball over.
Repeat entry Melbourne lock it in and Petty rips it out of the ruck to Langford who goals.
MEL 3.5 (23) WCE 0.2 (2)
Eagles have a rare look at goal
They make hard work of it but they just manage to outpace the Demons defens to get the ball to Gross about 40m.
But the kick is well off line and his spoiled through for a behind.
MEL 2.5 (17) WCE 0.2 (2)
Demons running riot
Melbourne are just clogging up the space everywhere as Ryan Maric can’t find a target from a kick-in and turns the ball over in defensive 50.
Only some poor goal kicking saves him from giving up the goal but the Eagles are locked in their defensive 50.
Skill errors are hurting the Ealges one again
West Cost are missing easy targets whether it’s by hand or bye foot and it’s keeping them stuck on the back foot as they have to double back in defence.
Melbourne are far cleaner in transition and they work it through Pickett to Fritsch who’s kick is horrible off the boot but it catches everyone out to land in the hands of Van Rooyen who kicks one form the goal square.
MEL 2.3 (15) WCE 0.1 (1)
Demons draw first blood
Liam Ryan misses from close range and Melbourne go trhough Gawn who finds Melksham who’s just inside 50.
His kick is a good one and it goes through for the first goal of the afternoon.
Here we go
Baker in the middle as Gawn monsters the first ruck tap but it’s intercepted.
The Eagles taransition well up the wing to get it to Shanahan but he misses his centerting kick and the attack breaks down.
Melbourne go up the other way through Judd McVee but Jack Viney’s snap misses.
Do the Eagles deserve priority picks?
It’s been the big debate throughout the week after CEO Don Pyke confirmed they will ask the AFL.
They have just 11 wins in four years, but Craig O’Donoghue looks out how their draft gambles have backfired.
Andrew McQualter suggests Baker will start in the midfield
“Yeah, we might throw Liam Baker to the opening centre bounce, but we’re robbing Peter to pay Paul because he’s probably our best backman,” he says on Fox Footy.
“It’s been a challenging year, but I sort of feel like we’ve made some improvements, and we want to finish the season well.
“We’re trying to learn the way we want to play and our identity as a team, and we’re exposing some players to what it takes to be great.”
He also shares his thoughts on Campbell Chesser and their young midfield.
“We’re trying to learn the way we want to play and our identity as a team, and we’re exposing some players to what it takes to be great
“He’s had a real challenge with his body the last few years Chess, and we’re excited about what we can do.
Welcome
Hello and welcome as West Coast take on Melbourne at Marvel.
There’s no late changes to either side with Hamish Davis the sub for the Eagles while Harry Sharp will be on the bench for the Demons.
That means former Eagle Jai Culley will start in his first AFL game since West Coast let him go.
