Match Report – Eagles break duck in styleSunday, June 20, 2021 - 10:17 AM - by Chris Pike

IT appeared the great mismatch of the season coming into Saturday's game at Leederville Oval but the West Coast Eagles were boosted by AFL talent and recorded their first win of 2021 with the stunning upset of Subiaco.

Subiaco was unbackable favourites coming into the contest with the Lions fresh off the bye following a 98-point hammering of Perth the previous Thursday night where they only conceded the one goal the entire game.

A win for the Lions at home to the winless Eagles on Saturday would see them reclaim top position on the WAFL ladder too from Claremont, and with West Coast having not truly been competitive so far in 2021, it did appear a formality leading into the Round 11 contest.

However, right from the outset of the game this was a different looking Eagles outfit and aside from a late flurry from the Lions that set up the thrilling finish, it was West Coast in control of the contest most of the way at Leederville Oval.

It was hard to ignore what an impact the inclusion of Alex Witherden, Luke Shuey, Jarrod Brander, Xavier O'Neill, Callum Jamieson, Brayden Ainsworth, Brendon Ah Chee, and what a difference they made.

This was an Eagles team who had averaged losing their opening eight games of the season by 60.5 points, but from the start on Saturday it was clearly going to be different.

West Coast went on to kick three goals to one in the opening quarter and Subiaco were playing catch up the rest of the way.

The Lions did fire back in the second term with four goals to two from the Eagles, and that did see Subiaco assume the one-point lead and the tide had appeared to have been turned.

It wasn’t to be, though, with West Coast hitting back hard in the third quarter with another six goals to two. It was the best quarter of football from the Eagles all season and their lead grew to as much as 30 points just before three quarter-time.

Subiaco threw everything at the comeback in the final term with four goals to one, and at one point they were within four points before Kieran Hug kicked the sealer for West Coast with the Eagles holding on to win 12.9 (81) to 11.10 (76).

The win is the first of the Eagles for the season and there was plenty to like in their performance both in terms of future AFL selection for those involved, but as well for what they can produce in the WAFL for the rest of 2021.

Ruckman Nathan Vardy was impressive with 17 possessions, 16 hit outs and two goals but all eyes were on returning West Coast captain Luke Shuey. Despite his game time restricted to 80 minutes, he was superb with 22 possessions, seven marks, four tackles and four inside-50 entries.

Brendon Ah Chee also kicked two goals including taking yet another spectacular mark to add to his highlight reel with Kieran Hug also kicking two majors including the sealer for the Eagles.

Mark Hutchings was superb with 32 possessions, 12 marks and a goal while Alex Witherden gathered 26 touches, Brayden Ainsworth 25, Jarrod Brander 21, Xavier O'Neill 19 (11 tackles), Hamish Brayshaw 19, Bailey Williams 18 (18 hit outs, eight marks) and Zane Trew 18 (nine tackles).

Ben Sokol continued his brilliant goalkicking form for Subiaco with six goals for the afternoon from 17 disposals and seven marks. Michael Braut also kicked two goals for the Lions.

Subiaco captain Leigh Kitchin finished with another 22 possessions while Harry Marsh ended up with 21 disposals, Hayden Kennedy 20, Greg Clark 20, Wil Hickmott 20, Drew Rohde 19, Bailey Matera 19 (13 marks) and Lachlan Delahunty 19 to go with 13 hit outs and seven marks.

Subiaco will look to get back to winning next Saturday back at Leederville Oval against Swan Districts while West Coast will attempt to string wins together up against East Fremantle at New Choice Homes Park.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 11

SUBIACO            1.2    5.6    7.8    11.10 (76)
WEST COAST EAGLES        3.3    5.5    11.7    12.9 (81)

SUBIACO: Goals – Sokol 6; Braut 2; Putt, Martin, W Hickmott.
Best – Sokol, Marsh, Kennedy, Kitchin, W Hickmott, Delahunty, Bailey Matera.
WEST COAST EAGLES: Goals – Vardy, Ah Chee, Hug 2; Garlett, Williams, Hutchings, Brayshaw, Deegan, Robilliard.
Best – Hutchings, Shuey, Vardy, Witherden, Ainsworth, Ah Chee, Brander, O'Neill.