RECAP: West Coast Eagles taste defeat at hands of Richmond in Perth
West Coast has been beaten by the Tigers in another disappointing home-game performance.
The Eagles regain Liam Ryan and brought experienced duo Tim Kelly and Jack Petruccelle back from the WAFL but they couldn’t match the young Tigers for speed as they torched turnovers.
Eagles had a decent night stats-wise but their errors and inability to find targets inside 50 left the door open for Richmond all night.
Recap the action from our blog.
THREE-QUARTER TIME: West Coast 38, Richmond 91
This is likely to go down as the Eagles’ most disappoiting loss of the year.
They had plenty in their favour but it’s been no Reid, no West Coast after halftime.
The young Eagle copped a tag in the third and couldn’t get through it.
And not a single one of his teammates attempted to lift to fill the void.
Kelly has shown the midfield is beyond him these days with just 10 touches and he could be lucky to have a spot in the senior line-up going forward.
Richmond booted eight goals to one for the quarter, 35 points came from turnover, and West Coast will be condemed to another loss and will just be playing not to get blown out in the final term.
Tough ask
The Eagles are struggling to get past halfway and when the ball goes the other way they can’t keep up.
West Coast’s pressure game has disappeared and they’ve lost their team defence.
Reid is now being tagged and only managed two touches for the quarter with no one else lifting.
Duggan is getting ball off halfback but under too much pressure.
This is very close to being beyond the home side already.
WCE 38, RICH 72
Eagles sub
Jack Williams has been subbed out of the game without having touched the footy.
Jack Petruccelle is into the game to bring some pace.
WCE 37, RICH 64
Unbelievable!
The Eagles snatch a much needed goal through Ryan.
Running back with the flight, Bailey Williams missed him but the veteran was too clever to be worried by that.
He grabs the ball and slams a snap as he gets pushed out of bounds.
It takes a brilliant bounce over the defender and breaks through the goals!
WCE 37, RICH 46
ICYMI
Jamie Cripps took a remarkable grab in the first quarter after putting his body on the line.
To cap it off, he dobbed it through the big sticks.
HALFTIME: West Coast 30, Richmond 39
After a poor start to the term the Eagles finally get some reward, and boy, does Reid to Shanahan look a combination to savour going forward!
Reid is covering the ground beautifully and getting himself into positions to impact theb contest and get the ball going forward.
He leads all-comers for touches and has five clearances. His career best is 29 and he is only nine away from that.
The Eagles lead the inside 50s by five but the change in that term was getting numbers around the ball and working as a unit.
However, Maric undid a lot of the good work inside the final minute by fluffing a backwards kick and getting two teammates hurt as Richmond got a freebie.
Double strike!
The fans were desperate and their team have responded.
Reid is having a massive night and was brilliant out of the middle after Bailey Williams finally nailed a set shot for the Eagles.
Reid’s connection didn’t work but West Coast win the ground ball as Baker weaves through traffic and finds Hall open and running to goal.
WCE 29, RICH 33
Silly mistakes
West Coast keep over playing their hand.
They attempt to get out of defence with quick plays but they run into trouble or bite off kicks they don’t have the ability to hit.
Rioli sets up another goal after Edwards tried a dinky along-the-ground kick that he smothered, followed up and then found Nankervis in the goalsquare.
The home fans are getting restless as their team remain goalless in the term with Ryan and Hall having missed shots.
WCE 17, RICH 33
Earning it
West Coast’s forwards are having to earn it today.
The Eagles are constantly bombing it onto the heads of their attackers and they are getting mashed in the contest which means they can’t compete when the ball comes to ground.
They are still doing a lot right but Richmond are making them pay even when they get the half chance.
WCE 16, RICH 26
QUARTER TIME: West Coast 15, Richmond 20
The Eagles will be frustrated with the scoreline after delivering a strong first quarter.
However, if you miss shorts you will always end up behind.
Taranto gave the visitors the lead after a dicey free kick but it was West Coast missing their chance to intercept that cost the goal.
Reid started well but copped a knock while the home side’s pressure is at 200.
Duggan and Reid have eight touches each with Cripps on seven and a goal after a mark of pure bravery.
Hough had a moment to forget after being run down by Rioli through the middle.
