Latest from West Australian
West Australian
41 minutes ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Jack Graham: West Coast Eagle has ‘learnt his lesson well and truly' after homophobic slur, says Liam Duggan
West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan has described Jack Graham's homophobic slur as a 'slip of the tongue' as the Eagles hierarchy backed him in as a leader. Coach Andrew McQualter led his post-match press conference with an emphatic statement on Graham — who copped a four-match ban for the incident in last Friday's loss to Greater Western Sydney — and said Duggan also revealed to The West Australian that Graham addressed the playing group in Adelaide on Sunday morning. The 27-year-old was brought to the club alongside Liam Baker to play under McQualter, who Graham worked under at Richmond, where he won two premierships. The pair were elevated straight into the leadership group. The incident comes when the rebuilding club is crying out for leaders. Co-captain Oscar Allen, midfield director Elliot Yeo and experienced forward Jake Waterman are all ruled out for the season. Premiership heroes Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern have both retired mid-season. 'We spoke about it this morning, all the details were finalised. Jack owned it completely, he was able to get up in front of the boys and just let everyone know what was going on,' Duggan told The West Australian. 'He's very remorseful, he's owned the mistake that he made. He's in our leadership group, he's a great character. 'Slip of the tongue and we know he's learnt his lesson well and truly. 'We'll miss Jack for three more games but we'll completely stick behind him. Asked directly if he was supportive of Graham continuing in a leadership role, Duggan responded: 'I back him fully to continue in that role mate'. 'It was a mistake made and one that Jack was on the front foot (for), he handled everything the right way from the get-go. 'We trust Jack in that sense as well and we will stick behind him and he will continue to play a leadership role at the footy club off-field and we will see him in a few weeks.' McQualter defended the club's handling of the incident. It was almost a full week before the AFL's integrity unit was made aware of the incident after days worth of high-level discussions between the Eagles and the Giants. The AFL confirmed to The West on Sunday the club was not obligated to inform them because no official complaint was made. The Eagles coach confirmed he was made aware of the incident when Graham self-reported on the Friday night in the hours after the loss to the Giants. 'The process we followed the AFL were happy with and it's OK,' McQualter said. 'We followed a process with the Giants and the AFL were informed and then that process followed. 'We understand it was a mistake that Jack made, but I have mentioned I have known him for a very long time, he is a good person, he made an error and he is now being punished for that error.' 'Jack is a very good person. He used one word that is a mistake and he is copping a serious punishment for that word and he understands that that's right.' McQualter said Graham and the Eagles have accepted the sanction, which lobs in between those handed out last season. Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three matches for using a similar one-word slur, but Gold Coast's Wil Powell missed five games and St Kilda's Lance Collard six as part of a crackdown to stamp out the issue. The off-season recruit won't be in the line-up for a clash against his old club Richmond next week, while also missing a western derby match-up with Fremantle and a road fixture against Melbourne.
West Australian
an hour ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Jason Horne-Francis and Harley Reid exchange words late in West Coast's fighting loss to Port Adelaide
In a heated battle between two top draft picks, it appeared Jason Horne-Francis was keen to let Harley Reid know exactly who was top dog. The Power star and the rising Eagle exchanged words during a tense final term, which saw the home side overrun a West Coast outfit that fought hard for much of the day at Adelaide Oval. WATCH IT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE Eagles players appeared to take umbrage with Horne-Francis after he pushed his arms into Jack Hutchinson while the youngster was laying on the turf. Horne-Francis had the final say with the footy, however, booting two crucial final-term goals - including one where he burst away from Reid at a stoppage. The 22-year-old then appeared to target Reid with an extended verbal celebration, but talked it down when questioned after the match. 'There was a bit of heat in it at the end there, which I like a little bit and I know a few of their players like as well,' Horne-Francis said. 'It's all part of the game. It's all in good spirit.' Reid was among West Coast's best with 27 disposals, six clearances and a goal, though Eagles coach Andrew McQualter acknowledged after the game that Reid needed to work on his temperament after the second-year gun gave away six free kicks.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
West Coast Eagles cop death-by-a-thousand-cuts defeat to Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval
West Coast's house of horror has dished up a new kind of pain. Port Adelaide cut them a thousand times in their nail-biting 26-point defeat at Adelaide Oval on Sunday evening, reeling in a lead the Eagles had held for almost all of the first three quarters. The 12.15 (87) to 9.7 (61) defeat sits among the one-win club's best performances under the watch of new coach Andrew McQualter. The Eagles arrested their dreadful run of thrashings at the venue, but their winless run in Adelaide extends to 11. They did, however, turn around a trend of poor starts by putting up a six-goal opening term that gave them their game-high lead of 25 points. West Coast went goalless in the final term and had five put on them by the Power to seal the result. The fighting defeat comes after the Eagles' preparation was plunged into chaos by news midfield leader Jack Graham had been slapped with a four-match ban for using a homophobic slur in their loss to Greater Western Sydney more than a week ago. Liam Ryan was then pulled out of the side with soreness. The first term was the Eagles' best of their entire rebuild, their highest score since the fourth round of 2021. They tackled ferociously and brought a heat Port Adelaide couldn't stand. Then they used the ball with precision to cash in on turnover after turnover. Coleman Medal bolter Mitch Georgiades made the most of a ground-ball and kicked the first goal of the game. It was a here-we-go-again moment fast dispelled by Bailey Williams' lead-up clunk and goal. A Brandon Zerk-Thatcher turnover on the last line gifted Tyrell Dewar a set shot and the Eagles launched a run where they kicked five of the next six goals. When Harley Reid put them 19 points ahead after half-an-hour, he held his hand to a mute Adelaide Oval hill. Port Adelaide's disposal out of the back half was woeful in the early stages and the pressure from West Coast's forwards — including Liam Baker — made their bad kickers kick. It was tested further by the conditions. On the other hand, the Eagles were under a clear directive from Andrew McQualter to lower their eyes and hit short kicks to uncontested marks in a radical change from their method so far this season. Baker was deployed as a half-forward with an eye on Connor Rozee. He kept the Power skipper to 13 first-half touches and had 12 of his own. Half of them resulted in scores, including a second-quarter goal where he won a ground ball and then touches it three more times in a handball chain he finished with a clever snap. Zak Butters was the class saving an otherwise sloppy Port Adelaide start. After 14 touches in the first term Brady Hough was set on him, but Jason Horne-Francis joined in during a blast right before the main break where he went head-to-head with Reid and wrestled them back into the game. Those two combined for the first goal of the second half and closed the margin to five points. Butters went on to have 38 touches in a dominant display. Port Adelaide played with their food for the rest of a dour second term. They enjoyed a reprieve from the stifling Eagles pressure of the early stages, but kicked 2.6. Georgiades had Reuben Ginbey on toast twice, but dropped chest marks and hit the post in a period where he could have brushed past the Eagles. It was a swing in the game that started on the back of the Power's clearance dominance at the end of the second and continued through the third. Joe Richards burnt a teammate to blaze away at an open goal and his behind levelled the scores. But they still hadn't fetched back the lead. Harry Edwards saved the blushes of less polished teammates and gave Ginbey a valuable chop-out in his tangle with Georgiades with 10 marks. His vice-like hands were only met by third-game sensation Jobe Shanahan. The forward took a pack grab out in the hands — a move already becoming his trademark — and gave the Eagles their second goal of the quarter. The lead sat at an even goal at the final change after Richards shanked Port's sixth behind of the quarter. Baker was relieved of his sitting duties on Rozee when he was substituted out of the game with a hand injury. Noah Long replaced Malakai Champion moments later. The tidal wave of repeat entries broke the Eagles when Darcy Byrne-Jones' second goal put the hosts in front for the first time since the opening minutes. The Eagles thought they were off the hook when Travis Boak fired a shot wide, but the umpire paid a throw against Harley Reid and the veteran converted. Then Horne-Francis dribbled one through the legs of Harry Edwards from an unlikely angle and celebrated by sparking a melee. Georgiades' third goal for the game — kicked on Edwards after the Eagles switched up the match-up — was the dagger and Horne-Francis' hat-trick was the icing. Reid's 26-disposal and one-goal show was among his best for the year, but it wasn't any less fiery. He gave up six free kicks in a tempestuous midfield battle. Richmond's upset victory over Essendon on Saturday night leaves the Eagles xx games adrift at the bottom of the ladder. WEST COAST 6.3 7.5 9.6 9.7 (61) PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 5.6 7.12 12.15 (87)Goals - WEST COAST: J Williams 2 H Reid B Williams M Flynn T Brockman T Dewar L Baker J Shanahan . PORT ADELAIDE: M Georgiades 3 J Horne-Francis 3 J Richards 2 D Byrne-Jones 2 M Bergman T BoakBest - WEST COAST: H Edwards L Baker H Reid J Shanahan L Duggan M Owies. PORT ADELAIDE: Z Butters J Horne-Francis M Georgiades A Aliir J - PORT ADELAIDE: C Rozee (hand)Umpires: L Haussen T Bryce C Fleer E Tee. Crowd: 30,553 at Adelaide Oval.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Carolina Wilga: Roger Cook issues reminder to travellers after German backpacker's outback survival tale
Carolina Wilga's dramatic tale of survival has prompted authorities to remind eager travellers of the importance of carrying life-saving equipment when exploring WA. The 26-year-old German backpacker's efforts to brave the elements for 11 nights after her van became bogged in the Karroun Hill nature reserve has been celebrated, after she was found alive by a Wheatbelt resident on Friday afternoon. Premier Roger Cook on Sunday said the community should 'give thanks' that Ms Wilga was alive, but warned other travellers of getting themselves into similar scenarios. 'I'm not going to speculate on on the wisdom of her trek, but obviously she took some precautions . . . when you go out into the wilderness by yourself, you are taking a very high risk, and it's important that you prepare for the conditions, and we know that in regional WA, in the outback, it can be very dangerous, and it can become dangerous very quickly, he said. 'Everyone, please just take note, this could have ended differently — this could have ended with a tragic loss of life and under very distressing circumstances. 'Today, we have a success story, an opportunity to celebrate Carolina's survival.' Mr Cook said personal locating devices like an EPIRB and a satellite phone were tools that could aid first responders when trying to locate someone missing. 'If you're looking to undertake extensive travel in regional WA, please take the necessary precautions, and we know Carolina did undertake some of those precautions,' he said. 'Her van was equipped with a certain amount of equipment to get her out of trouble, but ultimately, she did get into trouble. 'EPIRBs, satellite phones, those sort of things are a really good idea if you're going into regional WA by yourself, and you're not a local, and not used to those sort of conditions.' Police said Ms Wilga's van was stocked with some food and water before it became bogged 36km from any track in the Karroun Hill nature reserve. She was spotted waving her hands by Wheatbelt resident Tania French, who was driving back from Beacon, about 24km from where her Mitsubishi Delica van was abandoned 11 days prior. While Ms Wilga was lost, temperatures in the Wheatbelt dropped as low as -2.6C. Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo, officer-in-charge of the homicide squad, said Ms Wilga had 'some open travel plans just to explore parts of WA and then further head north and towards the east coast' when she became lost and 'disoriented'. When trying to look for her way out, she later lost control of her Mitsubishi van. After spending just one day with her van, which became bogged on soft ground recently soaked by rain, Ms Wilga braved the elements for 11 nights on foot, heading west by travelling in the direction of the sun. She survived by drinking water from puddles, sleeping in a cave and eating the minimal food left in her van. A/Insp. Seccuro on Saturday said Ms Wilga had 'minimal food and minimal water'. 'From speaking to her, she has said, you know, (she) could have planned better,' she said. 'Planning is essential . . . make sure you've got enough food, enough water, know where you're going, know the road conditions and the weather conditions. 'Each person is different as to their skill level of surviving in the bush, but I always come back to, you are best off remaining with your car. 'It's far easier for an aerial search to locate a vehicle than it is a person.' Ms Wilga, who is in 'disbelief' that she managed to survive, had solar panels installed on the roof of her van. Police said her vehicle became 'mechanicallly unsound' once it became bogged. The young woman was in a stable condition at Fiona Stanley Hospital on Sunday. A widespread search for Ms Wilga, led by police, intensified after the backpackers' friends hadn't heard from her since June 29 - the same day she was captured on CCTV driving through the Wheatbelt town of Beacon, about 330km north-east of Perth.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
WA public holidays: Premier says additional days would be win for State despite industry's fears
Public holiday reform will give West Australians more of a break through more of the year according to Roger Cook, despite industry concern over an increase in days paying higher rates. The Premier confirmed a review on Sunday that would shake up the State's public holiday calendar, with changes likely to take effect from either 2027 or 2028 by moving days like Labour Day and the King's Birthday to marry up with Eastern States' celebrations. It will also look at permanently moving WA Day from June to November to avoid the winter weather and include Easter Saturday as a public holiday to create a four-day stretch of holidays. A new public holiday would also be established, likely in September, although the State Government says the exact date and reason will be shaped by the public through consultation now underway . The review is open for community consultation from both members of the public and businesses. Despite the touted benefits for West Australian workers, the business sector reaction was mixed. Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief economist Aaron Morey said the body supported some parts of the review but feared what impact more public holidays would have on businesses. 'We support alignment of public holidays, that (different holiday in different States) is a productivity drag,' he said. 'The King has far too many birthdays as it is so we do support the intent around aligning public holidays with the east coast. 'We don't support an additional public holiday. For small businesses that are doing it tough right now that just represents extra costs that they can ill afford at this time.' Moving Australia Day will not be considered during the process, nor will changing Christmas, Boxing or Anzac Day. The Premier said there was frustration around the current calendar. 'What I've often heard in the business community is that they're frustrated when our public holidays don't align with a lot of the public holidays in the east coast,' he said. 'I hear from a lot of people who say why do we celebrate WA which has got such amazing weather in the deepest, darkest parts of winter, and of course everyone says why are holidays so jammed in the first half of the year and not spread more evenly throughout the year?' The move to add two more public holidays was welcomed by United Workers Union WA State Secretary Carolyn Smith. 'Our members will welcome this review and the solutions that are being considered,' she said. 'It's a long-standing issue that the public holiday playing field has been tilted against West Australians, and it's great the WA Government is considering important changes to address that. 'West Australians work just as hard as workers in the eastern states, and are just as deserving of public holidays, and this review is a chance to demonstrate that.' Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive officer Bradley Woods warned added public holidays could lead to higher prices for consumers and some venues remaining closed.
