Nick Hayes kicks five goals in wet and windy conditions as Eagles outlast West Adelaide
THREE third-quarter majors into the wind and five goals to Nick Hayes helped Woodville-West Torrens record a 21-point victory over West Adelaide in gloomy conditions at Woodville Oval on Saturday.
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THREE third-quarter majors into the wind and five goals to Nick Hayes helped Woodville-West Torrens record a 21-point victory over West Adelaide in gloomy conditions at Woodville Oval on Saturday.
In a scrappy match, affected by a strong breeze to the northern end and bouts of heavy rain, the Eagles took until midway through the final term to shake off the gallant Bloods.
West had led by 14 points at quarter-time after kicking with the wind to start the game but was eight points behind by the last break.
Jono Beech trimmed the margin to two points with the first goal of the final term, only for back-to-back Nick Hayes goals — the second after a costly Bloods turnover from an attempted switch of play — to seal the result.
Eagles coach Michael Godden said his side, which now had a 7-2-1 record, played the conditions better.
“It was a different type of game … and you have to adapt to that,” Godden said.
“On a day like today, the class always rises and Nick Hayes is so classy and sure with his hands, and his last couple of weeks have been outstanding.
“Any win this time of year in this sort of weather, you just take it.”
A stiff breeze was present all game but rain did not bucket down until midway through the second term, turning the contest into a scrap.
The Eagles’ five-goal-to-none burst during that quarter ensured they took a 16-point lead into the main break.
The hosts then booted the opening two goals of the third term into the wind, pushing their advantage out to 26 points.
They would prove decisive.
“This end was going to be the scoring end and you just knew any goal you got against it was worth two,” Godden said.
The Bloods lost veteran Shannon Green to a groin injury early, which made their job tougher.
West coach Gavin Colville was pleased with his side’s defensive pressure and effort in fighting back late in the third term when the game looked like getting away from it.
But he rued some missed opportunities at goal in the first half, turnovers in defence and an inability to break the game open into the breeze during the final quarter.
“Even when we’re on top, we’re not making the right decisions every time,” Colville said.
“It was another OK effort but OK efforts don’t get you wins.”
SCOREBOARD
EAGLES 1.1 6.3 9.4 11.11 (77)
WEST ADELAIDE 3.3 3.5 7.8 8.8 (56)
BEST — Eagles: N. Hayes, Boyd, Stewart, Sharrad, Redden, Lee.
W est: Keough, Noble, Middleton, Schiller, Burgess.
GOALS — Eagles: N. Hayes 5, Johansen, Goldsworthy 2; Gray, Rowe.
West: Middleton 4, Wilson 2; Waite, Beech.
INJURIES — Eagles: Nil. West: Green (groin).
UMPIRES — Bowen, Bryce, Morgan.
At Woodville Oval
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