West Coast has opened their account for season 2019 after thrashing the GWS Giants by 52 points at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Josh Kennedy was rusty in his return for the Eagles.Credit:AAP
Before the match, the Eagles unfurled the premiership flag in front of their home fans to celebrate last seasons heroic grand final victory.
The Eagles were never troubled after opening up a comfortable half-time lead, making the most of their chances in front of goal and being much more efficient in general play.
The Eagles won every quarter as they responded last week's shock defeat to Brisbane with a comfortable victory.
Advertisement
It was a dark night for the Giants who failed to back up their powerful round one performance where they destroyed Essendon.
The Eagles were in cruise control after half time, with the win set up by a burst of five unanswered goals in the lead up to the main break.
Jack Darling (right) celebrates with Liam Ryan, who was subject to racist abuse online during the week. Credit:AAP
For the Giants, it was a particularly disappointing result given they won most of the key statistics in the first half.
But, crucially, the Eagles were still able to be ahead where it counts – the scoreboard.
The Eagles efficiency was a highlight all night as they converted their opportunities while the Giants squandered theirs.
The Eagles were characteristically dominant in the air, taking more marks around the ground and inside 50.
Entering the clash, the Eagles were buoyed by the return of star forward Josh Kennedy, one of three milestone men.
Captain Shannon Hurn (250 games), Kennedy and Chris Masten (both 200) all tasted victory in their milestone games.
Last year's Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey was his side's best as he kicked two classy goals and had 28 disposals.
Young forward Oscar Allen complimented the Eagles' other talls in Jack Darling (four goals) and Kennedy (one).
Eagle Jack Petruccelle provided the highlight of the night when he burst through congestion on the wing, emerging with the ball and sprinting clear. After multiple bounces, the lightning-quick youngster slotted a goal on the run from 40 metres out.
The Giants entered the clash missing three of their best players: gun midfielder Josh Kelly, who is yet to play this year after off-season surgery, co-captain Callan Ward who has a knee injury, and lively forward Toby Greene who is also injured.
The Giants started the game on fire, dominating the inside 50 count early.
But they couldnt convert their possession in the forward half into clean entries and shots on goal.
The Eagles defence stood tall, intercepting the Giants' forward forays and rebounding up the other end to lead by a goal at quarter time.
The Eagles led by 28 points at half time after a strong second quarter where they kicked six goals to two, including a burst of five in a row to close out the half.
Lewis Jetta utilised his booming right-foot kick at the kick-ins, regularly pumping the ball well into the centre square and helping set up the Eagles forward entries.
Lachie Whitfield was the clear standout with 33 disposals at 84 per cent efficiency and recording the most metres gained to be easily the Giants' best.
Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals as the Giants most dangerous forward.
Giants co-captain Phil Davis left the field in the last quarter after sustaining an eye injury when Kennedy inadvertently poked him in the eye during a marking contest.
FollowRead More – Source
West Coast has opened their account for season 2019 after thrashing the GWS Giants by 52 points at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Josh Kennedy was rusty in his return for the Eagles.Credit:AAP
Before the match, the Eagles unfurled the premiership flag in front of their home fans to celebrate last seasons heroic grand final victory.
The Eagles were never troubled after opening up a comfortable half-time lead, making the most of their chances in front of goal and being much more efficient in general play.
The Eagles won every quarter as they responded last week's shock defeat to Brisbane with a comfortable victory.
Advertisement
It was a dark night for the Giants who failed to back up their powerful round one performance where they destroyed Essendon.
The Eagles were in cruise control after half time, with the win set up by a burst of five unanswered goals in the lead up to the main break.
Jack Darling (right) celebrates with Liam Ryan, who was subject to racist abuse online during the week. Credit:AAP
For the Giants, it was a particularly disappointing result given they won most of the key statistics in the first half.
But, crucially, the Eagles were still able to be ahead where it counts – the scoreboard.
The Eagles efficiency was a highlight all night as they converted their opportunities while the Giants squandered theirs.
The Eagles were characteristically dominant in the air, taking more marks around the ground and inside 50.
Entering the clash, the Eagles were buoyed by the return of star forward Josh Kennedy, one of three milestone men.
Captain Shannon Hurn (250 games), Kennedy and Chris Masten (both 200) all tasted victory in their milestone games.
Last year's Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey was his side's best as he kicked two classy goals and had 28 disposals.
Young forward Oscar Allen complimented the Eagles' other talls in Jack Darling (four goals) and Kennedy (one).
Eagle Jack Petruccelle provided the highlight of the night when he burst through congestion on the wing, emerging with the ball and sprinting clear. After multiple bounces, the lightning-quick youngster slotted a goal on the run from 40 metres out.
The Giants entered the clash missing three of their best players: gun midfielder Josh Kelly, who is yet to play this year after off-season surgery, co-captain Callan Ward who has a knee injury, and lively forward Toby Greene who is also injured.
The Giants started the game on fire, dominating the inside 50 count early.
But they couldnt convert their possession in the forward half into clean entries and shots on goal.
The Eagles defence stood tall, intercepting the Giants' forward forays and rebounding up the other end to lead by a goal at quarter time.
The Eagles led by 28 points at half time after a strong second quarter where they kicked six goals to two, including a burst of five in a row to close out the half.
Lewis Jetta utilised his booming right-foot kick at the kick-ins, regularly pumping the ball well into the centre square and helping set up the Eagles forward entries.
Lachie Whitfield was the clear standout with 33 disposals at 84 per cent efficiency and recording the most metres gained to be easily the Giants' best.
Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals as the Giants most dangerous forward.
Giants co-captain Phil Davis left the field in the last quarter after sustaining an eye injury when Kennedy inadvertently poked him in the eye during a marking contest.
FollowRead More – Source
