West Coast star Tim Kelly chooses to head back to WAFL as he looks to break back into Eagles' midfield
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West Coast star Tim Kelly chooses to head back to WAFL as he looks to break back into Eagles' midfield
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West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
West Coast Eagles fall short of all-time upset, push Adelaide to the brink in season-best performance
In a season to forget West Coast produced one of the most memorable performances in recent years to push ladder-leaders Adelaide to the brink in a heartbreaking nine-point defeat. A young Eagles outfit were charged with celebrating the careers of retirees Jeremy McGovern and skipper Liam Duggan, who was playing his 200th game. And while they were unable to walk away with the victory, losing 13.9 (87) to 12.6 (78) at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon, they showed incredible fight to give the premiership favourites a genuine scare. A week after a frustrated coach Andrew McQualter lamented his team's inability to play to the standards they set for themselves, the bottom-placed Eagles brought a relentless pressure which they can build on in the future. West Coast kicked five unanswered goals from late in the first term until early in the third to lead by 17 points early in the penultimate term and four points at the final break to have the 32,845 fans dreaming of an upset for the ages. Adelaide put their foot down in the last quarter with four goals to two to hand West Coast a 20th defeat for the third time in four seasons. McQualter decided to reshuffle his team after a tough few weeks. Brady Hough returned to defence to go against Alex Neal-Bullen, while impressive mid-season draftee Tom McCarthy started at the first centre bounce. And there was plenty of positives for the struggling Eagles in a game many predicted to be a one-sided affair. First-year forward Jobe Shanahan showed he's got a bright future with a career-high three goals in only his seventh game. McCarthy thrived in the midfield to record a game-high 29 disposals, combining with Tim Kelly (25 disposals, five tackles, 10 clearances and a goal) and Elijah Hewett (19 disposals and five score involvements) who were outstanding. Down back Reuben Ginbey continues to put himself in the frame for a maiden John Worsfold Medal in just his third season, restricting Adelaide monster Riley Thilthorpe to only three goals. However, the Crows proved too strong in the long run, as skipper Jordan Dawson (26 disposals, 11 inside 50s and 14 tackles) and star Izak Rankine (23 disposals, six clearances and a goal) carried them over the line. It started well for the Eagles when got their run and gun style working through the corridor which resulted in a goal to Campbell Chesser. Adelaide hit back with consecutive goals through James Peatling and Dawson, but the Eagles were up for the fight, attacking with pace and ferocity. The Crows showed their maturity to absorb the early pressure and break it open from the centre clearances, with their dominance starting to give them an advantage on the scoreboard. West Coast's efficiency going forward ensured they were still within reach at the first break, scoring four times from only five inside 50s. Remarkably, the Eagles started to get on top at the stoppages and set up so well behind the ball they were able to lock the ball in their front half. West Coast would kick the only three goals for the second quarter to take the most unlikely of six-point leads heading into half-time. Anyone thinking the Eagles were going to be satisfied with one strong half against the top side were quickly corrected as draftee Hamish Davis kicked the first goal of his career. Shanahan kicked his third soon after and an upset for the ages was on the cards as they led by 17 points. Duggan then decided to stamp his authority on the game with a big bump on Thilthorpe that left the Adelaide power forward in a lot of neck pain and might have the former in trouble with the match review officer. Adelaide regained the lead on the back of their dominance at the clearances and threatened to finally storm away from a brave West Coast. Yet the home side were not going to give up without a fight as Liam Ryan (three goals) kicked consecutive goals before the final break to regain the advantage on the scoreboard and keep the parochial crowd involved in the contest. Kelly then kicked the opening goal of the final term in unconvincing circumstances to once again give hope of an incredible win. Mercurial Crow Rankine turned it on after the main break, racking up 20 disposals and kicking the goal to regain the lead in the final term after touching it only three times in the first half. Thilthorpe then put the dagger through the heart, kicking a goal from outside 50 to put Adelaide a game clear on top of the table with only two rounds to go. ADELAIDE 5.2, 5.4, 9.6, 13.9 (87) WEST COAST 3.1, 6.4, 10.4, 12.6 (78) Goals – ADELAIDE: L Pedlar 3 R Thilthorpe 3 J Dawson B Keays D Fogarty J Peatling I Rankine J Soligo Z Taylor. WEST COAST: L Ryan 3 J Shanahan 3 L Baker T Brockman C Chesser J Cripps H Davis T Kelly. Best – ADELAIDE: J Dawson J Soligo I Rankine L Pedlar R Laird M Keane. WEST COAST: T Kelly R Ginbey J Shanahan T McCarthy B Hough L Ryan. Injuries – ADELAIDE: J Peatling (corked thigh). Umpires: J Power B Wallace M Young J Fry. Crowd: 32,845 at Optus Stadium.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Eagles defy odds to push ladder-leading Crows to the brink
In a season to forget West Coast produced one of the most memorable performances in recent years to push ladder-leaders Adelaide to the brink in a heartbreaking nine-point defeat. A young Eagles outfit were charged with celebrating the careers of retirees Jeremy McGovern and skipper Liam Duggan, who was playing his 200th game. And while they were unable to walk away with the victory, losing 13.9 (87) to 12.6 (78) at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon, they showed incredible fight to give the premiership favourites a genuine scare. A week after a frustrated coach Andrew McQualter lamented his team's inability to play to the standards they set for themselves, the bottom-placed Eagles brought a relentless pressure which they can build on in the future. West Coast kicked five unanswered goals from late in the first term until early in the third to lead by 17 points early in the penultimate term and four points at the final break to have the 32,845 fans dreaming of an upset for the ages. Adelaide put their foot down in the last quarter with four goals to two to hand West Coast a 20th defeat for the third time in four seasons. McQualter decided to reshuffle his team after a tough few weeks. Brady Hough returned to defence to go against Alex Neal-Bullen, while impressive mid-season draftee Tom McCarthy started at the first centre bounce. And there was plenty of positives for the struggling Eagles in a game many predicted to be a one-sided affair. West Coast's Hamish Davis takes down Adelaide's Dan Curtin. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian First-year forward Jobe Shanahan showed he's got a bright future with a career-high three goals in only his seventh game. McCarthy thrived in the midfield to record a game-high 29 disposals, combining with Tim Kelly (25 disposals, five tackles, 10 clearances and a goal) and Elijah Hewett (19 disposals and five score involvements) who were outstanding. Down back Reuben Ginbey continues to put himself in the frame for a maiden John Worsfold Medal in just his third season, restricting Adelaide monster Riley Thilthorpe to only three goals. However, the Crows proved too strong in the long run, as skipper Jordan Dawson (26 disposals, 11 inside 50s and 14 tackles) and star Izak Rankine (23 disposals, six clearances and a goal) carried them over the line. It started well for the Eagles when got their run and gun style working through the corridor which resulted in a goal to Campbell Chesser. Adelaide hit back with consecutive goals through James Peatling and Dawson, but the Eagles were up for the fight, attacking with pace and ferocity. West Coast skipper Liam Duggan lays a strong tackle on Adelaide's Darcy Fogarty as Reuben Ginbey tries to get the footy. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian The Crows showed their maturity to absorb the early pressure and break it open from the centre clearances, with their dominance starting to give them an advantage on the scoreboard. West Coast's efficiency going forward ensured they were still within reach at the first break, scoring four times from only five inside 50s. Remarkably, the Eagles started to get on top at the stoppages and set up so well behind the ball they were able to lock the ball in their front half. West Coast would kick the only three goals for the second quarter to take the most unlikely of six-point leads heading into half-time. Anyone thinking the Eagles were going to be satisfied with one strong half against the top side were quickly corrected as draftee Hamish Davis kicked the first goal of his career. Shanahan kicked his third soon after and an upset for the ages was on the cards as they led by 17 points. West Coast coach Andrew McQualter coaches from the bench. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Duggan then decided to stamp his authority on the game with a big bump on Thilthorpe that left the Adelaide power forward in a lot of neck pain and might have the former in trouble with the match review officer. Adelaide regained the lead on the back of their dominance at the clearances and threatened to finally storm away from a brave West Coast. Yet the home side were not going to give up without a fight as Liam Ryan (three goals) kicked consecutive goals before the final break to regain the advantage on the scoreboard and keep the parochial crowd involved in the contest. Kelly then kicked the opening goal of the final term in unconvincing circumstances to once again give hope of an incredible win. Mercurial Crow Rankine turned it on after the main break, racking up 20 disposals and kicking the goal to regain the lead in the final term after touching it only three times in the first half. Thilthorpe then put the dagger through the heart, kicking a goal from outside 50 to put Adelaide a game clear on top of the table with only two rounds to go. West Coast's Tim Kelly whips out a handball. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian ADELAIDE 5.2, 5.4, 9.6, 13.9 (87) WEST COAST 3.1, 6.4, 10.4, 12.6 (78) Goals – ADELAIDE: L Pedlar 3 R Thilthorpe 3 J Dawson B Keays D Fogarty J Peatling I Rankine J Soligo Z Taylor. WEST COAST: L Ryan 3 J Shanahan 3 L Baker T Brockman C Chesser J Cripps H Davis T Kelly. Best – ADELAIDE: J Dawson J Soligo I Rankine L Pedlar R Laird M Keane. WEST COAST: T Kelly R Ginbey J Shanahan T McCarthy B Hough L Ryan. Injuries – ADELAIDE: J Peatling (corked thigh). Umpires: J Power B Wallace M Young J Fry. Crowd: 32,845 at Optus Stadium.
ABC News
13 hours ago
- ABC News
Fremantle stalwart Peter Bell imparts wisdom on how West Coast can rebuild
West Coast should consider spending beyond the club's salary soft-cap — and pay the associated tax — to fast-track its rebuild, according to former Fremantle captain Peter Bell. The Eagles are on the cusp of becoming the worst performing team over a four-season period in the history of the V/AFL. If West Coast loses to Adelaide on Sunday afternoon, it will be the club's 78th defeat in the past four years, eclipsing the 77 losses suffered by North Melbourne between 2021 and 2024. If they fail to win another game this season, West Coast will also become the club with the most losses in a single season, with the caveat of longer seasons now than in decades past. The soft-cap rules mean AFL clubs can spend $7.67 million on their men's program in 2025, with that amount increasing by $750,000 in 2026, and a further $350,000 in 2027. If club's spend more than that limit, they are hit with a tax, which varies depending on how far over the limit they are. "They're one of the clubs that actually could (pay the tax) no problems at all," Bell, who won two premierships with North Melbourne, said on ABC Perth's Sports Talk program. "They've got a whopping bank balance that is just sitting there, so should they on a short-term basis, say 'we're going to try and improve our number of development coaches to players ratio, and we're going to go over the soft cap. We're going to write out the cheque'. "Because that's going to, if they choose the coaches right, that has to expedite the development process." Bell said the club should also commit to filling its entire list of players, including Category B players, for a decade, in the hope it finds some decent performers from outside the AFL pathway. "It's a numbers game. You might waste 10 picks, but one of them might be a good player." Several AFL clubs have had success recruiting from Ireland, with former Geelong star Zach Tuohy a recent example. There are currently 12 Irish players in the AFL, including Adelaide's Mark Keane and Brisbane's Connor McKenna. Bell said West Coast need to be ruthless when assessing whether players on the list have a future at the club, to create space for recruitment. "Even if they're contracted, you've got total player payments [salary cap] space and you're a wealthy club," he said. "If a player's got a two year contract, but you've made up your mind after one they're not part of our long-term plans, not going to play 100 games, pay them out, move them on, get another pick." West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has flagged he wants to bring in experienced players to fill the mid-20 age bracket, an area the club is struggling in. Bell said the Eagles should do that through drafting and not trading. "You need your high-end draft picks to go to the draft. Nail your picks, get them right, and develop them," he said. "If you want to bring some experience in, have a look at players you can bring in as delisted free-agents, free-agents, or at worst maybe a pick slide with one of your own picks. "Players will move for opportunity, but some of the teams up the top may need to shed some total player payment. "So can we attract a player that's not getting an opportunity, that's a big contract, which West Coast can afford, can we get that player and can we get another draft pick?" Examples of players the Eagles could target include Deven Robertson and Brandon Starcevich at Brisbane, Adelaide's Luke Peddler, or Elijah Tsatas from Essendon. "It does come down to how much you have to pay to prise non-Western Australians to come here," he said. "Players will move if they see the opportunity at a club."
