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http://westcoast.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1523&p=2&stid=8161324
The West Coast Eagles recorded their fifth win for the season with a 32 point victory over Fremantle in the 14th Western Derby. It wasn't a particularly inspiring match, but as they say, "We're just happy to take the four points".
West Coast 2.4 5.5 10.9 14.14 98
Fremantle 0.3 2.4 5.7 9.10 64
David Wirrpunda and Phil Matera took their places in the side after passing fitness tests yesterday. As expected, Scott Cummings missed out, along with Callum Chambers and Adam Hunter.
With the backline having settled itself in his absence, Ashley McIntosh again lined up at centre half forward, while the Glen Jakovich/Matthew Pavlich duel was expected to be one of the keys to the match.
As usual in a match between these two teams it began at a frantic pace, but neither team was able to find the way to the goals. Eventually Phil Matera broke the drought with a goal for the Eagles. Mark Merenda then kicked the only other goal for the term and West Coast were up by 13 at the first break.
Fremantle got their first goal within seconds of the bounce in the second quarter. It then became a midfield arm-wrestle, with both teams missing opportunities to score. Eventually the Eagles managed a couple to open up a 19 point half time lead. Merenda was seemingly the only player able to take his chances, with three goals for the half.
On a fine sunny day in Perth, you certainly couldn't blame the weather for the low scoring and skill errors. Perhaps you could say it was the desperation show by the players in the game none of them want to lose, or perhaps the unfortunate reality is that neither of these teams are very good at the moment.
McIntosh opened proceedings in the second half with another Eagles goal. Troy Wilson then kicked his first in three weeks, and the lead was out over thirty.
After Phil Matera left the ground, possibly having trouble with the ankle that has kept him on the sidelines for the past three weeks, it was goal for goal as the Eagles maintained the five goal break into three quarter time. Matera returned in the last quarter, but again left the ground early, and is certainly not 100%.
The lead should have been enough, but the Eagles have shown a disturbing propensity for going AWOL in the last quarter this year, while the Dockers have recently showed the ability to get themselves back in the game.
If they were to do it, the Dockers needed to get a couple early in the last term. That is exactly what they did, bring the margin very quickly back to just 14 points. West Coast needed a steadier, and Wilson provided it with his second goal of the day. The Eagles then kicked four of the last five goals of the match to run out winners by 34 points.
After having a typically good day, Daniel Kerr found himself on the wrong end of a Brendan Fewster tackle late in the game. The former Eagle, in an uncharacteristic show of frustration, slung Kerr to the ground, injuring his shoulder. Kerr was helped off, but will hopefully be okay to return for next week.
Like last week, one of the most pleasing aspects of the Eagles game today was that the load was shared around a number of players. The fourteen goals were kicked by nine different players, with only Merenda (4), Rowan Jones and Wilson (2 each) kicking more than one.
Ben Cousins also wasn't forced to play the Lone Ranger this week, with solid contributions coming from Jakovich, Chad Fletcher, Peter Matera and Merenda. Jones was another important player, with six tackles to his name along with his 19 possessions and two goals.
The Ross Glendinning Medal for the best player on the ground was awarded to Glen Jakovich, whose domination of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich went a long way toward blocking the Dockers supply to the forward line, and gave the Eagles control of the midfield. A number of Eagles could have taken the award, as could have Dockers Peter Bell, Troy Cook or Adrian Fletcher, all of whom played well for the losing side.
One more win for the Eagles this year will see them lose their concession draft pick. However, with their three remaining games being against teams jostling for the best positions in the top eight, that's unlikely to happen. Next weeks match against Richmond at Colonial Stadium is probably the Eagles best chance of a sixth win for 2001.
http://westcoast.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1523&p=2&stid=8161324
The West Coast Eagles recorded their fifth win for the season with a 32 point victory over Fremantle in the 14th Western Derby. It wasn't a particularly inspiring match, but as they say, "We're just happy to take the four points".
West Coast 2.4 5.5 10.9 14.14 98
Fremantle 0.3 2.4 5.7 9.10 64
David Wirrpunda and Phil Matera took their places in the side after passing fitness tests yesterday. As expected, Scott Cummings missed out, along with Callum Chambers and Adam Hunter.
With the backline having settled itself in his absence, Ashley McIntosh again lined up at centre half forward, while the Glen Jakovich/Matthew Pavlich duel was expected to be one of the keys to the match.
As usual in a match between these two teams it began at a frantic pace, but neither team was able to find the way to the goals. Eventually Phil Matera broke the drought with a goal for the Eagles. Mark Merenda then kicked the only other goal for the term and West Coast were up by 13 at the first break.
Fremantle got their first goal within seconds of the bounce in the second quarter. It then became a midfield arm-wrestle, with both teams missing opportunities to score. Eventually the Eagles managed a couple to open up a 19 point half time lead. Merenda was seemingly the only player able to take his chances, with three goals for the half.
On a fine sunny day in Perth, you certainly couldn't blame the weather for the low scoring and skill errors. Perhaps you could say it was the desperation show by the players in the game none of them want to lose, or perhaps the unfortunate reality is that neither of these teams are very good at the moment.
McIntosh opened proceedings in the second half with another Eagles goal. Troy Wilson then kicked his first in three weeks, and the lead was out over thirty.
After Phil Matera left the ground, possibly having trouble with the ankle that has kept him on the sidelines for the past three weeks, it was goal for goal as the Eagles maintained the five goal break into three quarter time. Matera returned in the last quarter, but again left the ground early, and is certainly not 100%.
The lead should have been enough, but the Eagles have shown a disturbing propensity for going AWOL in the last quarter this year, while the Dockers have recently showed the ability to get themselves back in the game.
If they were to do it, the Dockers needed to get a couple early in the last term. That is exactly what they did, bring the margin very quickly back to just 14 points. West Coast needed a steadier, and Wilson provided it with his second goal of the day. The Eagles then kicked four of the last five goals of the match to run out winners by 34 points.
After having a typically good day, Daniel Kerr found himself on the wrong end of a Brendan Fewster tackle late in the game. The former Eagle, in an uncharacteristic show of frustration, slung Kerr to the ground, injuring his shoulder. Kerr was helped off, but will hopefully be okay to return for next week.
Like last week, one of the most pleasing aspects of the Eagles game today was that the load was shared around a number of players. The fourteen goals were kicked by nine different players, with only Merenda (4), Rowan Jones and Wilson (2 each) kicking more than one.
Ben Cousins also wasn't forced to play the Lone Ranger this week, with solid contributions coming from Jakovich, Chad Fletcher, Peter Matera and Merenda. Jones was another important player, with six tackles to his name along with his 19 possessions and two goals.
The Ross Glendinning Medal for the best player on the ground was awarded to Glen Jakovich, whose domination of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich went a long way toward blocking the Dockers supply to the forward line, and gave the Eagles control of the midfield. A number of Eagles could have taken the award, as could have Dockers Peter Bell, Troy Cook or Adrian Fletcher, all of whom played well for the losing side.
One more win for the Eagles this year will see them lose their concession draft pick. However, with their three remaining games being against teams jostling for the best positions in the top eight, that's unlikely to happen. Next weeks match against Richmond at Colonial Stadium is probably the Eagles best chance of a sixth win for 2001.
http://westcoast.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1523&p=2&stid=8161324
