AFL gobsmacked by Eagles’ ‘miracle’ win after 125-year decimation

The West Coast Eagles have pulled off a “miracle” to overcome an injury decimation the AFL has not seen in 125 years.

The Eagles got a win. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

The West Coast Eagles have produced a miracle to win their first game of the year in a massive upset over Collingwood in Melbourne on Saturday night.

The Eagles stormed home with the last three goals of the contest as the lead changed two times in the fourth quarter.

West Coast players were left visibly emotional as they roared at the moment the final siren sounded on the 14.3 (87) to 10.14 (74) victory.

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The win came at a time when the club has been completely wiped out by a freak injury storm that the AFL has not seen for 125 years.

Jake Waterman kicked a big goal. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Missing a stack of top-line players, including All-Australian Andrew Gaff and captain Luke Shuey, the Eagles ran out to face the Magpies with not one of its players having played all of the club’s previous five games.

As first discovered by stats guru @sirswampthing on Twitter, the 2022 Eagles are the first club to have a run like this since the 1897 VFL season.

Most recent times that no player in a V/@AFL team was on a consecutive games streak of more than 6 matches
2022 R04 - WCE
2022 R02 - WCE
1897 R06 - CARL
1897 R06 - COLL
1897 R06 - ESS
1897 R06 - FITZ
1897 R06 - GEEL
1897 R06 - MELB
1897 R06 - STH
1897 R06 - STK

#AFLPiesEagleshttps://t.co/s0KYaB9fY1

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) April 9, 2022

It’s why the footy world was completely gobsmacked as it watched the Eagles comeback to win the game in such a brave fashion.

The upset leaves Collingwood coach Craig McRae’s team at 2-2 for the season.

In the other coach’s box, Eagles mentor Adam Simpson was beaming.

Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson described the Eagles’ win as the “Miracle at Marvel”.

Willie Rioli celebrates the final siren. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Demons legend Garry Lyon said the victory was one of Simpson’s greatest moments, including the club’s premiership win in 2018.

“This is a victory that not many would have seen coming at all,” he said on Fox Footy.

“This for Adam Simpson would be one of his greatest wins.”

Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said: “This is extraordinary. They’ve made a statement here. Nobody expected them to win.”

Footy commentators were blown away on social media.

Sports journalist Tristan Lavalette wrote on Twitter: “This is one of West Coast’s all time greatest victories. Remarkable backs to the wall effort”.

Taking all things into consideration, that’s one of the great footy wins of all time #AFLPiesEagles

— John Hunt (@JohnHunt1992) April 9, 2022

Famous win by a footy club that has had a few. They need to put a plaque up somewhere to celebrate this one. #AFLPiesEagles

— Ashley Browne (@hashbrowne) April 9, 2022

No Kelly, Shuey, Yeo, Sheed, Gaff, Allen. One true on-baller in Redden. Myriad of changes over the first month. Gutsy win. Reward for excellent effort so far this season. #AFLPiesEagles 🦅

— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) April 9, 2022

Wow, what a win by the Eagles! Respect. #AFLPiesEagles

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) April 9, 2022