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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The difference
West Coast are matching the Demons in almost every stat except for the clearances.
They are down 18 to four.
If they Eagles could somehow even get close to halving that they will be a shot at the upset.
But they still have no goals midway through the second quarter.
WCE 6, MEL 24
Six straight behinds
The Eagles still can’t find a major.
Hunt won a free kick in the 50 after catching Salem holding the ball but hung the shot to the left.
Meanwhile, Melksham opened the quarter with a dob from just inside 50.
WCE 6, MEL 22
QUARTER TIME: WCE 5, MEL 14
The Eagles can count themselves very lucky to be this close but if they had converted their set shots they would have been in front.
Hough missed a shot on the siren looking for his first-ever AFL goal.
The midfield numbers are a horror show for the home side but the Demons have been wasteful going forward, allowing Ginbey and McGovern to intercept.
Debutant Bo Allan has had a couple of nice moments, showing his speed and solid decision making playing from half back.
Maric has had 12 touches but some of his kicking has been regretable.
The top four ball winners are Eagles but they are all defenders.
Clearance disaster
The Eagles are getting smashed in the clearances 10-0.
West Coast are doing well to hang in but if the midfield can’t lift there’s not much the rest of the team can do.
It does not help the Eagles have missed all three of their set shots.
WCE 4, MEL 14
Williams bright
Jack Williams has been given a more involved role after struggling last week.
He has already taken a big contested mark in defence and could have had a goal after a nice lead up from a McGovern intercept.
The Eagles are struggling to halt the movement through the field but their last line is holding for now.
WCE 3, MEL 13
Bloodied
Ginbey has copped a stray elbow while tackling McDonald and has left the field with blood pouring from his nose.
West Coast’s turnovers are already hurting tonight but their defence looks well oragnised so far with Allen and McGovern taking the lead.
Petracca kicked the first goal from traffic.
WCE 1, MEL 6
Underway!
Harley Reid is caught holding the ball at the first centre bounce which sends Melbourne forward to open the match.
Viney looks to be running with the young gun.
WCE 0, MEL 0
Milestone men
The Eagles have two milestones to hunt a win for.
Co-captain Oscar Allen reaches the century mark while Tim Kelly will get to game 150 across his time at the Eagles and Geelong.
Eagles sub
West Coast are employing premiership defender Tom Cole as tonight’s sub.
200th flight!
Auzzie the Eagle has taken flight for the 200th time tonight!
Club legend John Worsfold released her to the appreciation of the growing crowd.
She owned the skys for a minute before landing as planned.
