Player ratings: Every player from West Coast’s preliminary final win over Melbourne rated
WHO stood tall and struggled on the big stage with a Grand Final at stake? West Coast had winners all over the ground but it was a completely different story for Melbourne whose experienced players failed to fire a shot. EVERY PLAYER RATED
WHO stood tall and who failed to fire on the big stage with a Grand Final at stake?
West Coast had winners all over the ground, while the Demons didn’t have many winners in what was a dismal day for the club.
All 44 players from Saturday’s preliminary final rated.
REPORT: EAGLES CONDEMN DEMONS TO PRELIM HELL
AS IT HAPPENED: EAGLES STEAMROLL DEMONS TO REACH GRAND FINAL
WEST COAST EAGLES
JACK REDDEN 9
Another huge game in this finals series. Went hard when he needed to, spread really well, tackled and delivered precisely. Huge.
JAMIE CRIPPS 9
The Eagles’ linkman did everything against the Dees. Dished them off, tackled and kicked a few goals himself. He was crucial.
JOSH KENNEDY 8.5
Best on ground in the first half. Melbourne had no answer for the dual Coleman medallist.
DOM SHEED 8.5
Whatever lessons they needed him to learn when they dropped him to the WAFL mid-season, he’s learnt them. Another great finals performance.
SHANNON HURN 8
Was typically precise and strong in defence, as he has been all year. When Hurn is up and about, it’s a good sign.
LIAM RYAN 8
Provided great pressure and kicked a goal as the extra man over the top early when the Eagles were hot.
ELLIOT YEO 7
Had plenty of the ball early under some close attention from James Harmes. His contests in the air through the middle of the ground were also important.
JEREMY McGOVERN 7
Doesn’t seem to play a bad game. Went down to the rooms after being crunched early but emerged to lead the rebound 50s for his side.
LUKE SHUEY 7
Played through an ankle injury with a great first-half performance.
TOM BARRASS 7
Didn’t have to do as much with his side’s dominance up the ground, but was rarely beaten anyway and did all the little things.
JACK DARLING 7
Was massive early when the game still needed to be won.
MARK LECRAS 6.5
Got on the end of a few goals and dished a couple off as well — lucky to have converted when the handball was on for Jack Darling in the third term.
LEWIS JETTA 6
Very good early when he seemed to find whatever space he wanted.
DANIEL VENABLES 6
Played one of his better games and showed why they were so keen to bring him in earlier in the season.
WILL SCHOFIELD 6
Showed why the Eagles were so comfortable with his selection. Steady effort in a solid defensive unit.
TOM COLE 6
Another member of the back six who was rarely outpointed on the occasions the ball went forward.
LIAM DUGGAN 6
Great run-down tackle on Mitch Hannan and used the ball well when he had it.
MARK HUTCHINGS 6
Ran with Jack Viney for a large chunk of the game and helped blunt his impact outside of the contest.
CHRIS MASTEN 5.5
Has been a great year but wasn’t a hugely influential game from the wingman.
WILLIE RIOLI 5
It wasn’t his best game but he didn’t do much wrong. Expect a big impact next week.
SCOTT LYCETT 5
Competed well and helped limit Max Gawn, but had little impact otherwise.
NATHAN VARDY 4
Another who helped blunt Gawn but barely touched the ball himself.
MELBOURNE
ANGUS BRAYSHAW 7
Fumbly and sloppy, but never stopped as one of Melbourne’s better players.
JAMES HARMES 7
Worked hard as he has all season with 13 of his 24 disposals being contested. One of the Dees’ best.
JACK VINEY: 6
Demons were smashed in the contest, but Viney never gave in. Had 17 contested possessions.
MICHAEL HIBBERD 5.5
Tried to generate some run off half back to no avail. Was far from their worst.
CLAYTON OLIVER 5.5
Had a bit of the pill, but little penetration. Only five kicks, including the Dees’ first goal … in the third quarter.
MAX GAWN 5
The Eagles went to school on Maxy, limiting his impact and making him accountable. Had 37 hitouts but not his usual impact
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA 5
Nearly-there game. Got hands on it in decent positions, but either fumbled or second-guessed.
AARON VANDENBERG 5
Sprinkling of numbers, but like so many, couldn’t get his teeth into the game.
JOEL SMITH 4.5
The surprise inclusion kicked a goal and had 12 touches. Showed a bit at different stages.
JAKE MELKSHAM 4.5
Had the role on McGovern and did kick two third-term goals. Wasn’t great but never stopped trying
NATHAN JONES 4
So quiet. Five touches to half time. Didn’t lay a single tackle.
CHRISTIAN SALEM 4
A non-factor in a defence under siege. Couldn’t rebound and couldn’t disrupt attacks.
MITCH HANNAN 4
Limited impact but not Robinson Crusoe there. Kicked a goal in the third term but it was too little too late.
TOM McDONALD 4
Held goalless for only the second time this year. Couldn’t get warm early and had to be used in defence at times
ALEX NEAL-BULLEN 3.5
Never stopped trying, but another swept away by the Eagles tsunami.
OSCAR McDONALD 3
Like Frost, the defender was overwhelmed by the sheer weight of numbers with Darling and Kennedy running rampant
NEVILLE JETTA 3
Was surprisingly fumbly early and found it hard to contend with the Eagles’ small forwards.
SAM FROST 2.5
Only alibi was the ball came in under no pressure. Slaughtered by Kennedy and Darling, who kicked seven between them.
SAM WEIDEMAN 2.5
Blown away early and can only be improved by his first taste of finals. Good kid with a future.
CHARLIE SPARGO 2.5
A kid, but head would be spinning. Had the chance to kick Dees’ first goal from 30m directly in front. Missed.
DOM TYSON 2.5
Virtually invisible. Had one more kick than Nathan Vardy — three.
JORDAN LEWIS 2
It’s one thing to have a stinker, but giving away frees off the ball and 50m penalties is another.
Originally published as Player ratings: Every player from West Coast’s preliminary final win over Melbourne rated
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