Harry Edwards of the Eagles wins the ball over his namesake,Harry McKay of the Blues during their clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.Credit:Getty Images
There could be no legitimate excuses for the Blues. Yes,they have injuries,including a match-ending head knock to spearhead Harry McKay early in the game,but they paled in comparison to those of the Eagles,who were without Luke Shuey,Jeremy McGovern,Tim Kelly,Liam Duggan,Josh Kennedy and Oscar Allen,as well as All-Australian Brad Sheppard for most of the game.
West Coast’s remaining core were tougher and cleaner for longer than that of the Blues.
Liam Ryan soars for a spectacular mark.Credit:Getty Images
Liam Ryan was the match-winner,taking a third-quarter hanger to go with four goals before being sidelined by cramp late in the game.
Even without Kelly and Shuey,West Coast’s midfield bested the Blues’ on-ball brigade,with Elliot Yeo,Andrew Gaff,Dom Sheed,Jack Redden and Nic Naitanui hauling their side over the line,while Shannon Hurn provided a sense of calm when needed.
Having been overrun by Essendon eight days earlier,West Coast were ultimately more desperate,too. Carlton laid just 44 tackles and just four inside 50,not the signs of a team that knew its season was on the line.
Sam Walsh was mighty as ever,while Jacob Weitering kept Jack Darling relatively quiet but it was the same old story for most of the rest of the Blues,who floated in and out of the game and now face a long and probably fruitless run home.