Eagles defy odds to push ladder-leading Crows to the brink

Perth Now

3 days ago

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.