RECAP: Oscar Allen’s four goals keeps West Coast Eagles in fight against Geelong
West Coast were 100 points behind at halftime the last time they faced Geelong, but trailed by just 11 at three-quarter time before falling to defeat.
Draftee Bo Allan returned to the team for his second AFL game and started as the sub while Archer Reid filled the gaping hole left by the injured Jake Waterman.
Harry Edwards was set for a date with the red-hot Jeremy Cameron but Reuben Ginbey ended up with the task and performed admirably.
Recap all the action from our blog.
Signs of life
The Eagles have earned two scrappy goals either side of another easy one for Geelong.
Long gets loose running to the square and gets a goal but everything the Eagles do needs three chances before it gets done right.
The good news is if they do start getting it right first time they might stand a chance.
Reid is being tagged by Mullin while Hough has now gone to Smith who is dominating.
WCE 24, GEE 48
Shot in the foot
Geelong have the first two goals of the term.
The second came after Flynn kicked across the face of the Cats’ goals and was picked off by Close.
The worst part?
Everyone in the stadium saw it coming except for Flynn.
WCE 12, GEE 41
QUARTER TIME: West Coast 12, Geelong 29
The Eagles are lucky to still be in the contest after a dreadful first quarter.
There skills and decision making are miles off the mark and if Geelong had not made a meal of all but two of their set shots, they could be 60 points in front.
The Eagles look good in possession but either get caught through lack of confidence or turn the ball over by foot and hand.
Bailey Smith has already had 15 touches and missed a set shot while three Eagles have seven disposals each, including Tim Kelly.
Intent there
The Eagles are down in every stat but they are playing with good intent and are always just one good decision away from good plays.
But their decision making is killing them and leaving their defence exposed.
The Cats are firing on the counter and look unstoppable after an Eagles turnover.
WCE 12, GEE 22
Hard work
The Eagles are on the board through Allen but gee, it’s hard work.
They fumble their way through the corridor and eventually enter the 50 with only one forward in their.
Jack Williams nearly marked the spearing kicking but buttered up and found Allen with hands all alone.
The co-captain had a teammate running into the square alone but took responsibility and nailed it!
However, the Eagles have a current kicking efficiency of just 46 per cent.
WCE 6, GEE 15
Cameron 1, Ginbey 0
Cameron gets the first of the game and Ginbey could not keep up with him out of the square.
Geelong made the most of a holding free kick to find Cameron on a shallow angle.
The Eagles are butchering the ball each time they touch it.
Meanwhile, Maric is running on the wing with Dempsey in a defensive role.
WCE 0, GEE 8
Bounce down!
Ginbey has taken Cameron and is hunting redemption for the nine the Cat kicked on him last time.
Edwards takes Neale and Hough on Stengle.
And they are called into action immediatly as the Cats charge forward from the first bounce.
WCE 0, GEE 1
No banner
The Cats have decided to run out with no banner today.
Their fans provided a guard of honour.
West Coast’s banner reads “We look stunning in our black and gold. Let’s play WA footy tough, fast and bold”.
Clay on Eagles’ culture
EXCLUSIVE: As two new Eagles enter the Eagles’ nest, Clay Hall has explained how West Coast’s young core are rebuilding the club’s culture.
It involves coffee catch-ups and surfing, as well as footy.
Newbies
The Eagles have shown their new recruits around Optus Stadium.
Tom McCarthy and Jacob Newton were taken during the mid-season draft.
