LIVE AFL: 'Trouble' and boos for Pies star, 'ludicrous' injury carnage ...
West Coast will be looking to celebrate grand final hero Dom Sheed’s 150th match with an upset win over the ladder leaders Collingwood in Perth.
But if the Eagles (1-10, 54.8%) can’t secure victory, they’ll sink to a club record 10th straight loss – a feat never achieved in the club’s proud 36-year history.
Collingwood (10-1, 133%) are proving themselves to be a serious premiership threat, and have named young Harvey Harrison to debut at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
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This match gets underway at 4.35pm AEST from Optus Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 4.30pm AEST.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
The Eagles were dealt a late blow, with key defender Tom Barrass a late withdrawal to a quad injury and repalced by Elijah Hewett. Greg Clark (Eagles) and Oleg Markov (Magpies) were named the starting subs.
And minutes after the opening bounce, the Eagles were hit with another injury, with Connor West coming from the ground for assessment on his left leg after copping some friendly fire. West was soon subbed out of the game and replaced by Clark.
Despite its personnel issues, West Coast dominated clearances early, winning 12 of the first 13. But that dominance wasn’t converted onto the scoreboard, with Collingwood kicking the first four goals of the game to lead by 24 points at quarter-time.
But the big story of the first quarter came just before the siren, with Pies star Jordan De Goey laying a bump on Elijah Hewett that will certainly draw scrutiny from the Match Review Officer.
“That’s trouble for Jordan De Goey ... if you decide to bump and make contact above the shoulders,” Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said.
Hewett was ruled out of the game due to concussion, while Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn was also placed in cotton wool after suffering another hamstring issue.
“It’s the same old story for West Coast: More and more injury carnage,” Fox Footy’s Adam Papalia said.
Hawks legend Jason Dunstall added: “Something has to give, don’t they? They’ve got to change the water in West Coast, surely. What’s going on? This is ludicrous.”
Meanwhile, the Pies continued to pile on the pain, skipping out to a 43-point lead as Mason Cox got his second goal.
“It was always going to be challenging top v bottom, but it’s unfolding in an ugly manner,” Dees champion Garry Lyon told Fox Footy.
But the Eagles hit back in breathtaking fashion, with goals to Xavier O’Neill, Oscar Allen and Dom Sheed swinging the momentum of the game.
“Credit where it’s due: This looked like it was heading towards something unpalatable for the Eagles … but they’ve found a way to kick four of the last five goals. It’s a mighty effort with only two players on the bench,” Lyon said.
Jake Waterman had a chance to cut the margin even more on the half-time siren, only to kick the ball into the man on the mark from his set-shot, meaning Collingwood held a 24-point lead at hakf
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