AFL Round 7: Eagles extend derby winning streak to a record 10 games following victory over Dockers
It was a night of milestones for West Coast on Sunday – celebrating Josh Kennedy’s 250th game with a win over Fremantle and in the process setting a new derby record. But the focus quickly shifted to a huge Round 8 encounter.
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West Coast powered to a record 10th consecutive Western Derby win on Sunday night, beating Fremantle by 30 points in champion forward Josh Kennedy’s 250th match.
In their return to Optus Stadium and in front of a Dockers crowd of 25,306, the Eagles put their Queensland hub experience behind them to win 9.8 (62) to 5.2 (32).
They surpassed the nine-game winning run set by Mick Malthouse’s Eagles in the 1990s and took their record to 4-3 in an ominous sign the 2018 premiers are making their move.
Fremantle, playing their first home game this season, are yet to win a Derby at their Optus Stadium home and were disappointing after quarter time in new coach Justin Longmuir’s first game in charge in front of a home crowd.
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NO SHUEY, NO WORRIES
Captain Luke Shuey was withdrawn pre-game after failing in his bid to return from a hamstring injury, but his absence was soaked up easily by the Eagles’ stars.
Tim Kelly is getting better every week at his second club and the former Cat was creative at the coalface, winning five clearances from his 18 possessions and setting the Eagles up to win the territory battle.
He was supported by Elliot Yeo (20 and seven clearances), while ruckman Nic Naitanui (22 hit-outs and six clearances) had the better of Sean Darcy and was instrumental at ground level.
The addition of Kelly led many to believe the Eagles had the best midfield in the competition and Adam Simpson’s on-ballers look ready to make a statement.
KENNEDY ALL CLASS IN HIS 250TH
Tall Docker Matt Taberner was the most dangerous tall on the ground in the first quarter, kicking two goals and controlling the air.
He had the Dockers looking dangerous and in the game, but when the supply dried up in the second term and he drifted out of the match, the Eagles’ talls took their turn.
Kennedy, Jack Darling and Jake Waterman all kicked goals as the Eagles opened up a 15-point break at the main change, and Kennedy kicked on to finish with four in a best-on-ground performance in his milestone game.
The champion big man showed his class in the final term by slotting a set shot right after opponents Taberner and Rory Lobb had missed gettable opportunities at the other end.
WALTERS CARRIES MIDFIELD BURDEN
Fremantle star Michael Walters attended almost every centre bounce, robbing the Dockers of his dangerous edge in attack but ensuring the young team were competitive in the middle.
Standing in as captain for the injured Nat Fyfe, Walters had 18 disposals and three clearances, but he went goalless for just the second time this season.
It was a young Freo midfield, with Adam Cerra, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong regulars in the centre square.
Brayshaw was the pick of the young crew. If there is a silver lining for the Dockers in the absence of their hamstrung skipper, it is the way Brayshaw has lifted and shown the leadership he was known for through his junior career.
FREMANTLE 2.0 4.1 4.1 5.2 (32)
WEST COAST 2.2 6.4 8.7 9.8 (62)
BEST – Fremantle: Walters, Brayshaw, Ryan, Taberner, Acres, Cerra
West Coast: Kennedy, Kelly, Yeo, Sheppard, Naitanui, Gaff
GOALS – Fremantle: Taberner 2, Lobb 2, Frederick
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Darling 2, Waterman 2, Cameron
INJURIES – Fremantle: Taylin Duman (left wrist)
West Coast: Luke Shuey replaced in the selected side by Brayden Ainsworth
VOTES – 3. Josh Kennedy (West Coast) 2. Tim Kelly (West Coast) 1. Elliot Yeo (West Coast)
SIMPSON: WE HAVE TO LIFT AGAIN TO DEFEAT MAGPIES
West Coast coach Adam Simpson says his team will need to go to a new level to knock off fellow contenders Collingwood next Sunday after building momentum with a record 10th straight western derby win.
The Eagles returned to Perth and produced their most complete performance of the season, holding Fremantle to one goal in the second half and enhancing their premiership credentials with a 30-point win.
Simpson said the winning streak against the club’s cross-town rivals was something to be proud of, but it would not define the 2020 Eagles, who have now won their past three matches.
“Our side looks like it’s establishing a good brand and identity of who we are and how we play,” Simpson said.
“Whether we’re back on track or in a space where we’re going to compete with teams like Collingwood and Geelong in the few weeks, we’ll find out.
“But the next two or three weeks is really going to define everyone’s season. We’ll have to step up another level to knock off the Pies next week.”
Simpson said captain Luke Shuey was certain to return from a hamstring injury for next Sunday’s heavyweight clash after the Eagles took a cautious approach with the Norm Smith medallist.
“He put his hand up to play and we gave him a really good fitness test,” Simpson said.
“But overnight we decided to just take the precaution, give him an extra week to recover. In the end it was just one or two days too late.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said the Dockers’ lack of height in defence was telling on Sunday.
Brennan Cox was the only recognised key defender, conceding four goals to milestone man Josh Kennedy in his 250th match, while Jack Darling and Jake Waterman booted two each.
The first-year coach was not concerned with the club’s losing streak, but said the team needed to improve quickly after being beaten around the contest.
“They (West Coast) are a lot more experienced than us. They’ve been playing their system for a lot of years now and they returned to some really good form,” Longmuir said.
“We just need to improve. I’m not worried about the next derby, I’m worried about the next week.
“I just spoke to the players about making sure we learn from these experiences.
“We’ve got a challenge against Geelong here next week and we need to improve on what we dished up tonight.”
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