Scott Lockhart reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.
The West Coast Eagles have maintained their position on top of the AFL Premiership ladder following a comprehensive 61 point win over Carlton at Subiaco Oval. In a match that saw some of the worst weather conditions at an AFL game in recent years, the Eagles were able to use the ball more efficiently and decisively through their first class midfield. Carlton’s inability to find targets up forward against a strong defense was ruthlessly exposed, as the Blues kicked their lowest ever score against the Eagles. Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr once again proved their ability to control and dominate play, sharing a mammoth 73 possessions between them, while Hansen and Wirrapanda were on fire up forward for the defending champions.
West Coast came into the match after an undefeated start to their title defense, following a stirring victory over Fremantle in the Derby last week. While Carlton came in with renewed confidence after a record-breaking come from behind three point win over Essendon last week. However, it came at a cost with star Nick Stevens suffering a season ending neck injury. West Coast began the match as hot favorites, with Carlton not having beaten the Eagles since 2004.
The opening of the match coincided with the outbreak of an intense thunderstorm that would appear to make scoring and handling of the ball difficult. The Eagles Daniel Kerr began on the Blues number one draft pick Bryce Gibbs, while Eagle captain Chris Judd was paired with Marc Murphy – two mouthwatering match-ups of the some of the leagues brightest young stars. David Wirrapanda opened the scoring with a goal from 10 meters out after a strong contested mark as the Eagles began to build drive through the middle of the ground. Conditions went from bad to oppressive as the rain continued to get increasingly heavier. A 'round-the-body snap goal from West Coast Ruckman Dean Cox increased the Eagles lead to 13 points early in the term as they sustained their forward momentum by consistently playing in front of their opponents. A goal to Ashley Hansen from a set shot 40 meters out stretched the Eagles lead beyond three goals, an impressive margin given the conditions. Carlton’s first goal came just after the halfway point of the term through a snap deep in the pocket from Mathew Lappin, reducing the Eagles lead to 12 points. However, the Blues continued to struggle to put a string of possessions together, hampering their movement and ability to deliver strongly to their forwards. The move by Eagles coach John Worsfold to once again put David Wirrapanda into attack continued to pay dividends as he appeared dangerous throughout the quarter, kicking his second goal in the late stages. Another goal to West Coast through Daniel Kerr increased their lead out to four goals, with Judd and Kerr sharing a remarkable 21 possessions between them for the term.
The second term began in better conditions than the first, with much of the rain halting. Wirrapanda continued to dominate through the Eagles forward line in the early stages, kicking his third goal in the opening minute, opening up a game high 30 point lead for his side. The news went from bad to worse for Carlton, with their star forward Brendan Fevola being reported for a strike on Tyson Stenglein. Both sides wasted numerous opportunities through the middle stages of the quarter, as the slippery conditions proved near impossible to move the ball efficiently and effectively. A goal to Brad Fisher for Carlton gave the Blues some momentum as their pressure began to increase. However, they were unable to turn this increased pressure into scoring opportunities, with Fevola missing two shots at goal from the 50 meter arc as his day continued to be error-riddled. There was no shortage of scoring opportunities for the home side as the quarter continued, however both teams proved unable to kick truly and mount any real scoreboard pressure. After a low scoring quarter where only two goals were kicked, West Coast led by 26 points at half time.
Carlton began the second half running strongly and were robbed of a seemingly certain goal in the opening minutes after the goal umpire ruled that the ball had not touched the boot of Jarrad Waite but had instead rolled over the line for a point, despite television replays suggesting otherwise. This proved costly as the Blues found themselves further behind after Ashley Hansen marked and goaled from the goal square, increasing the lead back out to beyond five goals. The Eagles were able to wrestle much of the momentum back as the quarter continued, as they once again proved they are the best running team in the competition. A thumping 70 meter goal from Eagle Shannon Hurn lifted the sold-out crowd and West Coast’s lead to 36 points as the signs continued to be ominous for Carlton. This was followed shortly after by another goal to David Wirrapanda – his fourth of the match – increasing the margin to an insurmountable 41 points. The pressure from the Blues continued to improve as the quarter developed, however their inability to find and use targets effectively in the forward line continued to cost them dearly. Carlton’s lack of attacking ability was compounded by strong defense by the Eagles, who continue to show that their midfield is not the only area of the ground where they excel in the competition. A goal to Carlton’s Heath Scotland in the late stages of the term, their first in nearly two quarters, reduced the margin back to 37 points at the final change in a match that was effectively over.
Carlton maintained their ability to get clean ball from the middle of the ground, however it was the Eagles with all the run in the early stages of the final term. This was despite full forward Quinten Lynch having a terrible game, booting four points including a shocking miss from only 10 meters out. The opening goal of the quarter came from the boot of Eagle Steven Armstrong, who received the ball from the ever-dominant Chris Judd who was the clear standout for the match with 35 possessions. Another goal to Kerr had to margin out to 55 points, with the Blues having no answer to the Eagles midfield run and improved delivery into the forward line. A goal to Fevola at the twenty minute mark gave Carlton just their fourth for the match, a stark contrast to their ability to score goals freely last week. A goal to Eagle tough man Beau Waters and a stunning boundary line goal to forward Ashley Hansen had the margin out to 61 points at the final siren in a game where the Eagles showed they are the dominant force in the competition.
Next week West Coast returns to the MCG for the first time since their Premiership victory last year to face a Richmond side that has yet to win a game. The Eagles are hopeful midfield star Chad Fletcher will return from injury and make his first appearance of the year. Carlton face a difficult challenge at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night when they face Brisbane in an important clash for the two sides as they both try and build on good early season improvements.
The West Coast Eagles have maintained their position on top of the AFL Premiership ladder following a comprehensive 61 point win over Carlton at Subiaco Oval. In a match that saw some of the worst weather conditions at an AFL game in recent years, the Eagles were able to use the ball more efficiently and decisively through their first class midfield. Carlton’s inability to find targets up forward against a strong defense was ruthlessly exposed, as the Blues kicked their lowest ever score against the Eagles. Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr once again proved their ability to control and dominate play, sharing a mammoth 73 possessions between them, while Hansen and Wirrapanda were on fire up forward for the defending champions.
West Coast came into the match after an undefeated start to their title defense, following a stirring victory over Fremantle in the Derby last week. While Carlton came in with renewed confidence after a record-breaking come from behind three point win over Essendon last week. However, it came at a cost with star Nick Stevens suffering a season ending neck injury. West Coast began the match as hot favorites, with Carlton not having beaten the Eagles since 2004.
The opening of the match coincided with the outbreak of an intense thunderstorm that would appear to make scoring and handling of the ball difficult. The Eagles Daniel Kerr began on the Blues number one draft pick Bryce Gibbs, while Eagle captain Chris Judd was paired with Marc Murphy – two mouthwatering match-ups of the some of the leagues brightest young stars. David Wirrapanda opened the scoring with a goal from 10 meters out after a strong contested mark as the Eagles began to build drive through the middle of the ground. Conditions went from bad to oppressive as the rain continued to get increasingly heavier. A 'round-the-body snap goal from West Coast Ruckman Dean Cox increased the Eagles lead to 13 points early in the term as they sustained their forward momentum by consistently playing in front of their opponents. A goal to Ashley Hansen from a set shot 40 meters out stretched the Eagles lead beyond three goals, an impressive margin given the conditions. Carlton’s first goal came just after the halfway point of the term through a snap deep in the pocket from Mathew Lappin, reducing the Eagles lead to 12 points. However, the Blues continued to struggle to put a string of possessions together, hampering their movement and ability to deliver strongly to their forwards. The move by Eagles coach John Worsfold to once again put David Wirrapanda into attack continued to pay dividends as he appeared dangerous throughout the quarter, kicking his second goal in the late stages. Another goal to West Coast through Daniel Kerr increased their lead out to four goals, with Judd and Kerr sharing a remarkable 21 possessions between them for the term.
The second term began in better conditions than the first, with much of the rain halting. Wirrapanda continued to dominate through the Eagles forward line in the early stages, kicking his third goal in the opening minute, opening up a game high 30 point lead for his side. The news went from bad to worse for Carlton, with their star forward Brendan Fevola being reported for a strike on Tyson Stenglein. Both sides wasted numerous opportunities through the middle stages of the quarter, as the slippery conditions proved near impossible to move the ball efficiently and effectively. A goal to Brad Fisher for Carlton gave the Blues some momentum as their pressure began to increase. However, they were unable to turn this increased pressure into scoring opportunities, with Fevola missing two shots at goal from the 50 meter arc as his day continued to be error-riddled. There was no shortage of scoring opportunities for the home side as the quarter continued, however both teams proved unable to kick truly and mount any real scoreboard pressure. After a low scoring quarter where only two goals were kicked, West Coast led by 26 points at half time.
Carlton began the second half running strongly and were robbed of a seemingly certain goal in the opening minutes after the goal umpire ruled that the ball had not touched the boot of Jarrad Waite but had instead rolled over the line for a point, despite television replays suggesting otherwise. This proved costly as the Blues found themselves further behind after Ashley Hansen marked and goaled from the goal square, increasing the lead back out to beyond five goals. The Eagles were able to wrestle much of the momentum back as the quarter continued, as they once again proved they are the best running team in the competition. A thumping 70 meter goal from Eagle Shannon Hurn lifted the sold-out crowd and West Coast’s lead to 36 points as the signs continued to be ominous for Carlton. This was followed shortly after by another goal to David Wirrapanda – his fourth of the match – increasing the margin to an insurmountable 41 points. The pressure from the Blues continued to improve as the quarter developed, however their inability to find and use targets effectively in the forward line continued to cost them dearly. Carlton’s lack of attacking ability was compounded by strong defense by the Eagles, who continue to show that their midfield is not the only area of the ground where they excel in the competition. A goal to Carlton’s Heath Scotland in the late stages of the term, their first in nearly two quarters, reduced the margin back to 37 points at the final change in a match that was effectively over.
Carlton maintained their ability to get clean ball from the middle of the ground, however it was the Eagles with all the run in the early stages of the final term. This was despite full forward Quinten Lynch having a terrible game, booting four points including a shocking miss from only 10 meters out. The opening goal of the quarter came from the boot of Eagle Steven Armstrong, who received the ball from the ever-dominant Chris Judd who was the clear standout for the match with 35 possessions. Another goal to Kerr had to margin out to 55 points, with the Blues having no answer to the Eagles midfield run and improved delivery into the forward line. A goal to Fevola at the twenty minute mark gave Carlton just their fourth for the match, a stark contrast to their ability to score goals freely last week. A goal to Eagle tough man Beau Waters and a stunning boundary line goal to forward Ashley Hansen had the margin out to 61 points at the final siren in a game where the Eagles showed they are the dominant force in the competition.
Next week West Coast returns to the MCG for the first time since their Premiership victory last year to face a Richmond side that has yet to win a game. The Eagles are hopeful midfield star Chad Fletcher will return from injury and make his first appearance of the year. Carlton face a difficult challenge at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night when they face Brisbane in an important clash for the two sides as they both try and build on good early season improvements.
Final Score:
WCE: 5.2 6.8 9.11 14.16 (100)
Carlton: 1.2 2.6 3.11 4.15 (39)
Best:
WCE: Judd, Kerr, Wirrapanda, Hansen, Cox
Carlton: Lappin, Scotland, Simpson
Goals:
WCE: Wirrapanda Hansen 4, Kerr 2, Cox Armstrong Water Hurn 1.
Carlton: Fisher Lappin Scotland Fevola 1.
Umpires: McBurney, Sully, Pannell
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Fevola (striking)
Crowd: 41, 016 at Subiaco Oval, Perth
Article last changed on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 10:40 PM EDT
