West Coast Eagles handed JLT Series smashing from Fremantle Dockers
MATT Priddis and Sam Mitchell aren’t walking through the door for the Eagles, who are learning that life without superstar midfielders is a tough one following a JLT Series smashing from Fremantle.
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WEST Coast will sweat on the return of Nic Naitanui for Round 1 after Fremantle exposed the fragility of the Eagles’ midfield without their star ruckman on Sunday.
The Dockers sent another reminder that when a dominant Aaron Sandilands is feeding their full on-ball complement, they boast a formidable midfield unit.
Fremantle controlled the midfield battle to set up the 62-point JLT Community Series flogging of West Coast in Joondalup in Perth’s north, as the Eagles learned life after Brownlow Medal pair Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell won’t be easy.
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The Eagles will launch a new era at Perth Stadium when they host Sydney in Round 1, but they will do it without spearhead Josh Kennedy. Kennedy, who had ankle surgery over summer, said on Sunday he was targeting a Round 3 return.
Naitanui returned from almost 19 months out following a knee reconstruction in a WAFL pre-season match on Saturday and could play for the Royals again this week as part of a bid to make the season-opener.
Lachie Neale was outstanding with 36 possessions and three goals to lead Sunday’s rout.
Another huge positive for the Dockers was the game of Matt Taberner, who shone with 12 marks and two goals in an indication he may finally emerge as the forward target they have craved.
Taberner, 24, played just eight games last season and has long been a frustrating work in progress for the Dockers but demonstrated why they continue to persist as he dragged down five contested marks in a superb display.
He is assured of a start in Fremantle’s Round 1 assignment against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval and is likely to also back-up Aaron Sandilands in the ruck.
The Dockers are set to go with just one genuine ruckman, which will relegate impressive teenager Sean Darcy to begin the season in WAFL ranks.
Veteran Hayden Ballantyne showed there was life in him yet with a bright performance that included three goals, while No. 2 draft pick Andrew Brayshaw firmed for an immediate debut with an assured showing.
Both clubs fielded strong teams in an indication of their thinking ahead of Round 1, however exciting West Coast forward Willie Rioli hurt an ankle in the opening term and did not reappear in a setback for his chances of a debut against the Swans. Fellow small forward Liam Ryan impressed and is likely to win an immediate debut.
Fremantle midfielder Stephen Hill (calf) will push to be ready after missing all of the pre-season games, while his brother Bradley is expected to miss the season-opener after suffering a quad injury at training last week.
Exciting West Coast forward Willie Rioli hurt an ankle in the opening term in a setback for his chances for a debut against the Swans. Fellow small forward Liam Ryan impressed and is likely to debut in Round 1.
Originally published as West Coast Eagles handed JLT Series smashing from Fremantle Dockers
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