RECAP: West Coast Eagles fall short of epic upset but give league-leading Adelaide scare
Retirement celebrations for Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern as well as Liam Duggan’s 200th almost inspired an all-time Eagles boilover, but Adelaide just survived.
Matt Flynn returned in the ruck while Jack Graham comes back after his suspension for a homophobic slur.
Sandy Brock replaces the injured Harry Edwards and will face a giant task against Adelaide’s spearheads.
Follow all the action in our live blog.
Goodnight
That’s it for round 22, with West Coast showing some hope of competitiveness for 2026.
We will be back on Friday when Fremantle face Brisbane.
Farewell!
ANALYSIS
Reuben Ginbey has the hardest job in footy, playing key defender for the Eagles while being undersized.
But what he lacks in height, he makes up for in heart... and muscle.
MATCH REPORT
MATCH REPORT: West Coast were bold and brave, but in the end, the Crows’ star power proved too strong for the young Eagles.
Three-word analysis
West Coast go down swinging against Adelaide in a brave performance.
FULL TIME: West Coast 78, Adelaide 87
The Eagles produced one of their best performances of the year to challenge the top side but despite their best efforts the Crows come out on top.
The visitors won’t be happy with the performance but they will take the four points and one game advantage at the top of the table.
McCarthy was huge for the Eagles, showing he has a future in midfield as well as in defence.
Kelly turned the clock back and showed what he can do when he invests in the outcome.
Thilthorpe came up trumps in the last term but Ginbey had his defensive cape on all day.
All in all, an effort Eagles fans can be proud of.
Game Crows
Adelaide get it forward again after a poor inside 50 from West Coast and in the chaos, Thilthorpe snaps a third from the goal square.
West Coast fought so hard but at the end of the day, Adelaide’s stars just stood a little taller and were a little fitter.
WCE 72, ADE 85
Thilthorpe
Ginbey has had the big man’s number all day but it has come at a cost.
The West Coast defender is gassed and Thilthorpe moved him aside at the top of the arc and took the grab.
He made the shot look easy.
Last roll of the dice for the Eagles now.
WCE 72, ADE 79
Crows lead
Rankine does what Rankine does, kicking a major on the run after crumbing a split mark and the visitors lead by a point.
WCE 72, ADE 73
No quarter
West Coast are trying to learn how to win on the hop here and their pressure is elite at the moment.
Dawson is having a phenomenal term for the Crows and could get his side the win on his own.
West Coast need a few hereos to stand up with nine minutes left.
WCE 72, ADE 67
Tight tussle
West Coast locked the ball forward for five minutes but only managed two behinds.
Adelaide get the ball at the other end and the Eagles are showing signs of fatigue.
WCE 72, ADE 67
