Going into the match I’m sure the Bulldogs would have prepared themselves for a fired-up Eagles outfit playing in front of a parochial home crowd. But on paper and form many pundits – myself included – doubted that West Coast version 2009 had the four-quarter stamina to challenge the Dogs. How wrong we were.
It was a brilliant performance, a 33-point win that would have pleased everyone from the coach to the supporters. It was as much about intent and commitment as it was skill and ability. It was as much about Kerr, Cox, Embley and Wirrpanda as it was about McKinley, McKenzie, Brown and Schofield. It was a gritty performance full of the ugly stuff that coaches love. Tackling, chasing, harassing, pressuring, hunting in numbers and outmuscling their more fancied rivals.
It was reminiscent of the Eagles of old. They were bold, brave and courageous in every aspect of the game. They were challenged individually and they responded collectively.
FOUR QUARTERS
Q1: West Coast 6.4 (40) v Western Bulldogs 3.2 (20)
The Eagles played every facet of the opening quarter to perfection. The won the clearances 14-7, won the inside-50 count 21-8 and, importantly, took five marks inside the attacking arc. The Eagles kicked the last four goals of the quarter. Daniel Kerr and Shaun Higgins were the two standout players on each side.
Q2: West Coast 8.7 (55) v Western Bulldogs 5.5 (36)
Adam Selwood kicked the opening goal of the second quarter while Kerr continued to dominate. Apart from Higgins, Ryan Griffen and Matthew Boyd, the Dogs struggled to cope with the relentless pressure and numbers around the contests. Eagle forwards were playing in front and reaping the benefits of good supply further up the ground. Inside 50s ran 35-20 in favour of the home side for the quarter. The Bulldogs already looked tired, reactive and unable to match the run of West Coast.
Q3: West Coast 14.11 (95) v Western Bulldogs 9.7 (61)
Eagles forwards completely dominated the Bulldog defence. Quinten Lynch, Ash Hansen, Ben McKinley and Adam Hunter converted while Kerr continued on his merry way. West Coast continually forced the Dogs backwards inside their defensive 50 by pushing numbers up the ground and then attacking the ball carrier en masse. Rarely do you see the Bulldogs run in to so many dead ends. Worsfold took the points and so did the Eagles, leading handsomely at the last change. Andrew Embley was having his best game for 2009.
Q4: West Coast 17.14 (116) v Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83)
The Bulldogs tried to get their running game going as the Eagles began to tire but the damage had been done in the first three quarters. West Coast played great team football when in possession. When not in possession they played the consummate team game and they had winners everywhere. The Dogs needed Daniel Giansiracusa, Lindsay Gilbee, Mitch Hahn, Nathan Eagleton and to a lesser extent Jason Akermanis to play well but the key playmakers were stifled by a more committed and determined Eagles outfit.
He may not have got the votes but ...
... John Worsfold’s performance to get his charges up a week after a 93-point thrashing was outstanding. He convinced his men to execute a game plan that quite simply dismantled the Bulldogs’ key players and their running style of football, which is well suited to the wide open spaces of Subiaco.
The points were safe when ...
... Matt Rosa kicked the opening goal of the last quarter. The Dogs replied with goals to Gilbee and Brian Lake and had an opportunity for a third consecutive goal when Nathan Eagleton missed a set shot 30 metres out, which would have made it a 22 point game.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
