AFL Round 1 2020: Eagles eclipse Demons as AFL reels from shut-down news
Melbourne hoped to atone for a disastrous 2019 season when it opened its 2020 season in Perth. But in the shadow of a dark day for footy, the Demons' day didn't go to plan. Recap a momentous day.
West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui put on a dominant display to inspire his team to a 27-point win over Melbourne at a sombre Optus Stadium.
The Eagles booted five unanswered goals in the opening quarter of Sunday’s clash on the way to a 12.6 (78) to 7.9 (51) triumph.
The game was played just two hours after news broke that the AFL would go on hold until at least June in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It meant the game in Perth would be the last taste of AFL action for at least 10 weeks.
Before the match, prized Eagles recruit Tim Kelly said the players felt a sense of numbness as the severity of the situation hit home.
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Goal celebrations were notably muted during the game, with players knowing a Round 1 win might not end up counting for anything.
Nonetheless, Naitanui produced an enormous display, tallying 13 disposals, 23 hitouts, six clearances and two score assists to beat Max Gawn in the crucial ruck battle.
Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey, and Dom Sheed were prominent through the midfield, while goalsneak Liam Ryan booted 3.3. Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney, who lost the captaincy in February, was his team’s shining light with 34 disposals, seven clearances and a goal. Livewire Kysaiah Pickett showed flashes of brilliance, kicking two goals on debut.
Although Melbourne won the inside-50 count 14-9 during the opening term, the scoreboard made for ugly reading. The Demons spurned several good early chances, and it came back to haunt them as West Coast broke the shackles late in the quarter.
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Melbourne closed the gap to 21 points at halftime but laid just four tackles in the third quarter, with two goals to Ryan giving West Coast enough breathing space to cruise to victory.
The Demons won the inside-50 count 45-35 for the match, but their wayward delivery was their downfall.
- Justin Chadwick, AAP
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Originally published as AFL Round 1 2020: Eagles eclipse Demons as AFL reels from shut-down news
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