West Coast break their Hawthorn hoodoo

West Coast posted their first win over Hawthorn in Melbourne in 12 years with a classy 15-point victory.

Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughhead, left, and West Coast’s Dom Sheed at Etihad Stadium yesterday. Picture: AAP.

A disciplined West Coast posted their first win over Hawthorn in Melbourne in 12 years with a classy 15-point victory at Etihad Stadium yesterday.

The Eagles maintained top spot on the ladder when, after scores were level at halftime, they were able to wrest control of what was a hard-fought match.

With Andrew Gaff prolific through the middle of the ground with 35 disposals and the Eagles holding a clear ascendancy in marking contests, the Eagles claimed their ninth win in succession.

It is the first time in more than two decades they have managed such sustained success.

The Eagles host the struggling Saints this Saturday night and ­appear well placed to head into the bye on top of the ladder, enabling them to freshen up for the run ­towards September.

“I thought it was a really good win, really hard fought,” coach Adam Simpson said.

“I am not surprised by what Hawthorn brought, but to sustain it … and stand up when it counted, I am really pleased with that.

“I felt like our leaders and Nic (Naitanui) stood up for the small period there and really helped get ascendancy.”

Although Hawthorn fought valiantly yesterday, a season that started with significant promise is sliding into perilous territory.

The Hawks have now lost three games in succession and sit a game outside the eight.

Matches against Port Adelaide next week in Launceston and Adelaide at the MCG following the bye shape as pivotal for their season. Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was pleased with how his side rebounded after being thrashed by Brisbane last weekend but lamented their lack of polish in key moments.

And he is not certain the Hawks are yet in the frame to challenge “for our next piece of silverware”, stating that while he is confident the club is developing again, “right at the present time, it is happening slower than we would like it to.”

Before the match, Clarkson nominated seven star Eagles as the reason he believed they could feature in 2018 in a season where many believed they would slide out of contention.

And several of those stars produced in a match that was a true test of the Eagles’ character.

Gaff was afforded rare latitude and Elliot Yeo was dominant when the football was up for grabs, winning a match-high 17 contested possessions from his 28 disposals overall. Naitanui, who kicked a critical goal to start the last quarter after marking strongly, had the better of an intriguing rucking dual that pitted he and Scott Lycett against Ben McEvoy and Jon ­Ceglar, who was playing his first game since injuring a knee against the Eagles in August, 2016.

In attack, Josh Kennedy was important in a low-scoring game, kicking three goals in a good battle with James Frawley, while the ­Eagles’ defence led by captain Shannon Hurn and Jeremy McGovern proved organised and miserly.

But the reason for their flight to the top of the table is the emerging talent supporting the star acts. They feature across every line and are too numerous to mention. But one first-year Eagle, in particular, stood out yesterday.

That the surname Rioli proved a feature act in a match involving Hawthorn is scarcely surprising, but for once the protagonist did not wear the brown and gold, nor boast the Christian name Cyril.

West Coast’s Willie Rioli, a cousin of the Hawthorn star, lived up to the rich billing his name carries. In a scintillating first half, the 22-year-old kicked two clever goals, the latter of which halted Hawthorn’s moment after they booted away early in the second quarter.

But unfortunately for Rioli, it will not be the quality of his football that is the talking point today, rather a couple of unusual incidents that occurred in a 30-second time-frame.

The Eagle, who was playing his ninth game yesterday, will be assessed by match review officer ­Michael Christian over two incidents. In the first, Rioli fell with his knees into the back of Hawk Blake Hardwick after a marking contest.

Then, when umpire Ray Chamberlain ran into officiate, Rioli gave him a slight pat on the hip as he was walking back to stand the mark. Given the recent spate of incidents involving players touching umpires, he is certain to be scrutinised today.