by Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval
In a remarkable comeback fallen idol Ben Cousins led the West Coast Eagles to a 12 point victory over the Sydney Swans on Saturday night. In a crucial game for both teams, the archrivals played out another thriller. Although not as close as their last three encounters - all decided by one point - the large crowd was nevertheless treated to an exciting night of football.
Sydney entered the game minus full forward Barry Hall and dashing halfback Tadagh Kennelly, both out with injuries. In addition to Cousins, West Coast welcomed back Daniel Kerr, Chris Judd, Ashley Hansen, Tyson Stenglein and Brett Staker.
Both sides looked sharp in the first quarter. The magic moment came at the five minute mark when Ben Cousins came off the bench. The home crowd erupted in a standing ovation as Eagles’ fans welcomed their hero back to Subiaco Oval.
Fierce tackling and hard running were the order of the day. The Swans goaled first through Ryan O’Keefe. The Eagles had plenty of scoring chances but their shots on goal were going astray in the windy conditions. Chris Judd was busy around the clearances, showing no signs of the groin injury that has dogged him in recent weeks. He was instrumental in the first goal for the Eagles off the boot of Rowan Jones. Vogels kicked Sydney’s second goal and in the dying minutes of the quarter, Chick scored for West Coast giving them a narrow three point lead at quarter time.
The Eagles scored first in the second quarter but Sydney responded quickly with three goals in a row through O’Keefe and O’Loughlin. The Eagles found the going tough under Sydney’s relentless pressure and their efficiency in front of goal. Just as the Swans threatened to run away with the game, Hansen ran into the forward line and scored a settling goal for the Eagles. Kerr and Cox combined for another six pointer and the Eagles were back in the contest. O’Keefe kicked his third goal for the quarter to steady Sydney but Staker replied in a brilliant individual effort. At half time the scores were tied and the stage looked set for a dramatic second half.
When the game resumed after the major break, the Swans were quick to post a goal through Ben Matthews. Sydney’s run was short-lived as the Eagles surged forward through dominant center players Cousins and Kerr. Hansen, Judd, Hunter, Staker and Cox scored goals in quick succession. West Coast could do no wrong and the margin blew out to 29 points.
In the final quarter Sydney attacked with their trademark never say die brand of football and threw everything they had at West Coast. After quick goals to Judd and Hansen the Eagles looked unstoppable but Sydney refused to panic. Goals to Jolley, O’Loughlin, Smith, Davis and McVeigh kept them in contention. The Eagles were on the back foot and coach John Worsfold responded by moving his three best, Cousins, Judd and Kerr, into the center to stop the Sydney surge. West Coast regained control of the ball and worked to keep possession, running out winners by two goals. In the end, it was the sparkling return of Cousins, best on ground with 38 possessions, and the impact of Hansen and Staker in the forward line that proved the difference between the two teams.
The Eagles are now fifth on the AFL Ladder with 40 points. Sydney (32 points) is clinging to eighth position with Adelaide, Essendon and Saint Kilda outside the Eight by virtue of percentage. With one of the closest competitions in recent years and only six home and away games left before the Finals, the next few weeks will be very exciting for fans of Aussie Rules around the globe.
Next weekend, West Coast travels east to meet the Western Bulldogs, a danger game for the reigning Premiers. Sydney plays Richmond at the SCG giving the team a chance to consolidate a place in the Eight.
Final scores
WCE 2.6 6.9 13.14 16.16 (112)
Sydney 2.3 6.9 9.9 15.10 (100)
Goals
WCE Hansen 4, Staker 3, Cox 3, Judd 2, , Chick, Hunter, R Jones, Lynch Sydney O’Keefe 4, Matthews, O’Loughlin, Schneider 2, Barry, Davis, Jolly, McVeigh,
Schmidt
Best
WCE B Cousins, D Kerr, C Judd, B Staker, A Hansen
Sydney R O’Keefe, J McVeigh, N Malceski, B Mathews
In a remarkable comeback fallen idol Ben Cousins led the West Coast Eagles to a 12 point victory over the Sydney Swans on Saturday night. In a crucial game for both teams, the archrivals played out another thriller. Although not as close as their last three encounters - all decided by one point - the large crowd was nevertheless treated to an exciting night of football.
Sydney entered the game minus full forward Barry Hall and dashing halfback Tadagh Kennelly, both out with injuries. In addition to Cousins, West Coast welcomed back Daniel Kerr, Chris Judd, Ashley Hansen, Tyson Stenglein and Brett Staker.
Both sides looked sharp in the first quarter. The magic moment came at the five minute mark when Ben Cousins came off the bench. The home crowd erupted in a standing ovation as Eagles’ fans welcomed their hero back to Subiaco Oval.
Fierce tackling and hard running were the order of the day. The Swans goaled first through Ryan O’Keefe. The Eagles had plenty of scoring chances but their shots on goal were going astray in the windy conditions. Chris Judd was busy around the clearances, showing no signs of the groin injury that has dogged him in recent weeks. He was instrumental in the first goal for the Eagles off the boot of Rowan Jones. Vogels kicked Sydney’s second goal and in the dying minutes of the quarter, Chick scored for West Coast giving them a narrow three point lead at quarter time.
The Eagles scored first in the second quarter but Sydney responded quickly with three goals in a row through O’Keefe and O’Loughlin. The Eagles found the going tough under Sydney’s relentless pressure and their efficiency in front of goal. Just as the Swans threatened to run away with the game, Hansen ran into the forward line and scored a settling goal for the Eagles. Kerr and Cox combined for another six pointer and the Eagles were back in the contest. O’Keefe kicked his third goal for the quarter to steady Sydney but Staker replied in a brilliant individual effort. At half time the scores were tied and the stage looked set for a dramatic second half.
When the game resumed after the major break, the Swans were quick to post a goal through Ben Matthews. Sydney’s run was short-lived as the Eagles surged forward through dominant center players Cousins and Kerr. Hansen, Judd, Hunter, Staker and Cox scored goals in quick succession. West Coast could do no wrong and the margin blew out to 29 points.
In the final quarter Sydney attacked with their trademark never say die brand of football and threw everything they had at West Coast. After quick goals to Judd and Hansen the Eagles looked unstoppable but Sydney refused to panic. Goals to Jolley, O’Loughlin, Smith, Davis and McVeigh kept them in contention. The Eagles were on the back foot and coach John Worsfold responded by moving his three best, Cousins, Judd and Kerr, into the center to stop the Sydney surge. West Coast regained control of the ball and worked to keep possession, running out winners by two goals. In the end, it was the sparkling return of Cousins, best on ground with 38 possessions, and the impact of Hansen and Staker in the forward line that proved the difference between the two teams.
The Eagles are now fifth on the AFL Ladder with 40 points. Sydney (32 points) is clinging to eighth position with Adelaide, Essendon and Saint Kilda outside the Eight by virtue of percentage. With one of the closest competitions in recent years and only six home and away games left before the Finals, the next few weeks will be very exciting for fans of Aussie Rules around the globe.
Next weekend, West Coast travels east to meet the Western Bulldogs, a danger game for the reigning Premiers. Sydney plays Richmond at the SCG giving the team a chance to consolidate a place in the Eight.
Final scores
WCE 2.6 6.9 13.14 16.16 (112)
Sydney 2.3 6.9 9.9 15.10 (100)
Goals
WCE Hansen 4, Staker 3, Cox 3, Judd 2, , Chick, Hunter, R Jones, Lynch Sydney O’Keefe 4, Matthews, O’Loughlin, Schneider 2, Barry, Davis, Jolly, McVeigh,
Schmidt
Best
WCE B Cousins, D Kerr, C Judd, B Staker, A Hansen
Sydney R O’Keefe, J McVeigh, N Malceski, B Mathews
Article last changed on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 11:24 AM EDT
