Mid West's Liam Ryan, Tyler Brockman and Jamie Cripps help Eagles post first victory of 2025 season

West Australian

19-05-2025

After 281 days without a win and an 11-game losing streak, Waalitj Marawar's (West Coast) trio of Mid West stars helped the Eagles post their first victory of the season against Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Amid emotional scenes as Waalitj Marawar and their fans paid tribute to premiership player Adam Selwood who died over the weekend, a collective team effort saw the Eagles record a gritty 28-point win over the Saints, 16.12 (108) to 12.8 (80).
Geraldton's Liam Ryan and Tyler Brockman were again used to great effect through the midfield in bursts, providing seven clearances between them.
Ryan was back to his electric best at times, kicking two goals and amassing 14 disposals, five tackles and 409m gained. Brockman had 16 disposals and six tackles.
Before the match, Brockman said he had relished the move into the midfield alongside Ryan in recent weeks.
'I enjoy it. Liam and I have been getting a bit more midfield time for the past two rounds,' he said.
'I think they're going to hopefully keep putting Liam and I in the midfield and let us do our work.'
Northampton's Jamie Cripps — who was the only Eagle on the field on Sunday to have played with Selwood — was visibly emotional during the pre-game tribute. He kicked the first goal of the match, after which he pointed to the sky and his black armband.
Although the Saints challenged them at times, the Eagles never relinquished the lead and found an extra gear when they needed to.
In the earlier Sunday game, Narrm (Melbourne) upset reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba by 11 points, 13.10 (88) to 14.15 (99).
Geraldton's Demons defender Judd McVee had another understated game, with 13 disposals and six marks.
On Friday night, Sydney proved too strong for Carlton at the SCG, prevailing by 16 points, 11.12 (78) to 9.8 (62).
Carlton skipper, Patrick Cripps, was again among the Blues' best, kicking two goals and collecting 26 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances, five inside 50s and 311m gained.
Walyulup (Fremantle) had a much-needed win on the road, downing the Giants by 34 points. Dockers midfielder, Jaeger O'Meara from Dongara, is still four weeks away with hamstring and foot injuries.
West Coast, St Kilda, Melbourne and Fremantle are known as Waalitj Marawar, Euro-Yroke, Narrm and Walyalup during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round.