Janet Linn, reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval
In a long-awaited return to form, the West Coast Eagles put paid to Essendon’s slim chances of making the Final Eight in an entertaining Round 19 game at Subiaco Oval. West Coast were inspired by Quinten Lynch playing in the midfield, ably supported by experienced campaigners Michael Braun and Chad Fletcher. In his much-anticipated clash with Essendon counterpart David Hille, ruckman Dean Cox’s superiority was another deciding factor in the West Coast’s win.
It was all West Coast in the first quarter, after an unsure start by both teams. Essendon players were sluggish and untidy in their use of the ball and with Cox dominating the ruck hitouts, West Coast were able to make the most of their opportunities against a strong breeze. With their forwards playing in front and players tackling and working hard all over the ground, West Coast combined well to kick six goals for the quarter, two each to Ben McKinley and David Wirrpanda. Essendon were only able to score three goals although two were memorable, a wonderful bouncing shot by youngster Leroy Jetta and a superb long goal by Bomber favorite Adam Ramanauskas.
Wind was definitely a factor in the second quarter and Essendon handled it less skilfully than the Eagles in the previous quarter. Their kicks down forward dropped short on numerous occasions and the Eagles were able to clear and put the ball to advantage. While the Bombers continued to look lethargic, West Coast found a new lease on life and younger players McKinley, McNamara, LeCras and Davies rose to the standard set by the determined tackling and hard running of senior leaders Michael Braun, Andrew Embley, Adam Selwood and Quinten Lynch. Essendon scored a meager one goal to the Eagles four for the quarter and the 38 point half time margin looked likely to blow out.
The Bombers staged a comeback in the third quarter and looked more like a team worthy of a shot on a Finals campaign. Matthew Lloyd took a screamer in the first minute and although his kick on goal fell short, David Hille marked and goaled to produce the perfect opening for the Bombers. Lloyd featured again minutes later taking a strong grab in the square and scoring a goal to narrow the margin to only 26 points. Angus Monfries joined the Bomber goal fest and suddenly it was game on with only three goals separating the two teams. A fantastic long kick out of the center by Lynch was marked by Marc LeCras who scored West Coast’s first for the quarter. McKinley followed with an opportunistic swoop on the ball and his third goal. Just when it looked like West Coast had steadied and stalled the Bombers’ challenge, Matthew Lloyd imposed himself again. Against three opponents, he showed his trademark good judgement to mark just outside the goal square and decrease the margin to 26 points. Adam McPhee laid an outstanding tackle on Lynch and passed the footy to Jason Laycock who goaled to keep Essendon in the game for the fourth quarter.
In the final term, the intensity of the game lifted. Essendon attacked continuously in the first five minutes of the last quarter but the West Coast defense stood firm and repelled several promising forward thrusts before Quinten Lynch unloaded with the goal of the day to provide the Eagles with a 26 point buffer. Essendon replied quickly through Slattery and McKinley answered for West Coast. When the Bombers went forward to score consecutive goals from Lovett and Dempsey with nine minutes remaining, the stage was set for an exciting finish. Veteran Michael Braun proved that there was still life in his soon to be retired football boots when he stole the ball off an opponent, took a couple of bounces then steadied the Eagles with a long accurate kick through the sticks. Not to be outdone the Bombers replied through the agency of Leroy Jetta whose brilliant gather then goal was amongst the plays of the day. With the margin at 16 points and seven minutes left, Essendon were not done. Again Lloyd led the Bombers from the front, goaling after taking a solid chest mark to take the margin back to only 10 points. A costly turnover by the Bombers deep in the Eagles’ defense gave Chad Fletcher a chance on goal and he made no mistake. Andrew Lovett streamed down field and passed to Jetta who put the ball on Jason Laycock’s chest right in front of goal. Again the margin was 10 points with only three minutes to go. A desperate play by Eagle fullback Darren Glass led to another goal from McKinley whose seven goals for the day were a personal best. The Bombers fought to the end, goaling again through Laycock but it was all too late. In the end, Essendon salvaged some pride but West Coast kept cool heads under the challenge and ran out ten point winners in a game which highlighted exciting young players for both teams supported by outstanding veterans Braun and Lloyd.
Scoreboard West Coast 6.3 10.6 12.9 17.11 (113) Essendon 3.2 4.4 9.7 16.7 (103) Goals WC B McKinley 7, D Wirrpanda 3, A Selwood 2, M Braun, C Fletcher, M LeCras, Q Lynch, R Davis Ess M Lloyd, J Laycock 3, L Jetta 2, C Dempsey, R Dyson, D Hille, A Lovett, A McPhee, A Monfries, A Ramanauskas, H Slattery Best WC Q Lynch, M Braun, D Cox, B McKinley, C Fletcher, A Selwood Ess J Watson, M Lloyd, B Stanton, A Lovett, C Dempsey Crowd 35,288
Article last changed on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 12:38 AM EDT
