RECAP: West Coast Eagles hunt first win in clash with Melbourne
West Coast have given themselves a chance of causing a stunning upset after stealing a lead at half time.
The Eagles are down on clearances 27 to six and inside 50s 29-17 but have forced 12 more turnovers and made the visitors pay.
Can they keep up the momentum?
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Cruel game
As the Eagles struggle with injuries Melbourne make their move.
They are still dominating the clearances and with McGovern out the defence is struggling to hold up.
A few unlucky free kicks have not helped but the Demons are too good to be allowed a free run in the centre.
WCE 43, MEL 57
Double blow
West Coast are now down a spearhead with Archer Reid appearing to have ruptured his Achilles.
He tried to put his foot down to lead but fell to ground clutching his ankle.
Danger man
Max Gawn is pulling his team back into the contest.
Flynn can’t compete and the big man is even winning free kicks in the forward 50.
He has a staggering 18 disposals to go with 25 hitouts and six clearances and is the reason why Melbourne have kicked three quick goals.
One came to ex-Docker Ed Langdon from the free kick to Gawn.
WCE 37, MEL 43
Eagles sub
A big blow for the Eagles as McGovern is subbed out of the game with concussion.
It comes after Melksham shoved him into a marking contest from behind and he cops a head knock.
The Dee will come under MRO scrutiny.
Perfect start!
From defence to offence in a flash!
Allen to Baker and then sheer force and luck through the corridor finds Cripps alone in the forward 50.
He drew the defender and faked a handball before kicking the goal.
WCE 37, MEL 25
HALFTIME WCE 31, MEL 25
West Coast have turned the game on its head with four goals in the final seven minutes of the half.
Ginbey and Baker have been huge off half back with West Coast almost conceding they won’t win the clearance so instead applying pressure and hunting turnovers off half back.
McGovern is copping a lot of physical abuse in the play but his command of the air is absolute.
Maric is still having plenty of it but has been used as a linking player rather than the rebounder after a poor start.
Eagles are down on clearances 27 to six and inside 50s 29-17 but have forced 12 more turnovers.
In front!
The Eagles can’t win a clearance but they are dominating from half back.
They launch again and find Archer in space at the top of the 50 who moves the ball on to Brockman who just floats into the pocket all alone.
He nails the goal and the crowd are up and about.
WCE 30, MEL 25
The na-na!
Hunt looked no chance from 40 outside the boundary but he just drops a right-foot banana through the goals and the Eagles are back within a point!
They have lifted their pressure big time in the last 15 minutes and are making the most of turnovers with repeat inside 50s.
Their skills could use a clean up but otherwise McQualter will be pleased with the fight.
WCE 24, MEL 25
Back-to-back!
The Demons missed their shot at one end and the Eagles bounce off half back again.
Ginbey’s kick carried over the back with Waterman, Graham and Hewett their to escort the ball up the wing.
They all shared the ball until Hewett took responsiblitly and slotted the goal from the flank.
WCE 18, MEL 25
Finally!
Adam Simpson backed Williams on the commentary and the young kid does not let his former coach down!
He got on the end of a powerful run through the corridor that started with Liam Baker spinning out of trouble after recieving a dumb handball and finding Kelly.
Kelly found Hewett who handballed to Graham who delivered to Williams.
The crowd is in fact alive!
WCE 12, MEL 24
