Jeremy McGovern

Chris Kowald reporting for AFANA from Domain Stadium, Perth

The West Coast Eagles overcame indifferent form to make use of the wind and fly past the Carlton Blues in the last quarter. In doing so, the Eagles kept their finals hopes alive for one more week. The Blues were brave and dashing in their play. Their players matched the Eagles as the home team pressed players towards the contest; and when the ball came loose, Carlton used pace to expose the Eagles with leg speed. If not for the heroics of Eagles forward Josh Kennedy, who kicked six goals, the Eagles’ season would have ended at the hands of a team some considered a candidate for the wooden spoon.

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Perth

Even if you remember these events from 2003 - the space shuttle Columbia disintegrating on its return to Earth, Andre Agassi winning the Australian Open in tennis and Netscape being taken down for Mozilla - you will be forgiven if you don’t remember that 2003 was the last time that the West Coast Eagles defeated the Collingwood Magpies in Melbourne.

2003 was a very long time ago in football terms and the Magpies may have expected the trend to continue as second placed Eagles traveled to Etihad Stadium in Round 16. All things must pass and so it was with the hoodoo when - despite horrific shooting on goals - the Eagles ran over top of the cooling Pies.

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Sydney recorded its 11th win in a row over the West Coast Eagles at a rain drenched Patersons Stadium and now the Swans sit on top of the Ladder, one game clear of the rest of the field. Although the game was a hard fought contest in trying conditions, Sydney showed its class and finished stronger with three goals in the last quarter to knock the Eagles out of the fight.