‘Absolutely pathetic’: West Coast thrashed by Sydney in record-breaking loss
West Coast came crashing back to earth with an absolute thrashing at the hands of Sydney that broke all the wrong kinds of records.
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West Coast slumped to an embarrassing 63-point thrashing at the hands of the Sydney Swans that broke records for all the wrong reasons.
The Eagles produced an upset win for the ages against Collingwood last week but they were all at sea on Good Friday as the Swans got off to a flyer in Perth.
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The Swans scored five goals in the first quarter and managed to hold West Coast scoreless.
It was the first time ever the Eagles had been on zero points at quarter time in 430 matches in Western Australia.
Sydney continued the onslaught in the second term and it took until the 17th minute for West Coast to finally get on the board through a Liam Ryan goal.
Latest first team score in an #AFL match (1999 onwards)…
— Oliver Gigacz (@OliverGigacz) April 15, 2022
47m 01s - WEST COAST (R5 2022)
45m 20s - Adelaide (R13 2021)
42m 43s - North Melbourne (R2 2010)
42m 12s - Brisbane (R8 2016)
40m 41s - Fremantle (R23 2013)#AFLEaglesSwans
The game was over by the time the Swans led 70-12 at the main break.
The Eagles have been ravaged by Covid and injuries this season but welcomed back star midfielders Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo and Tim Kelly for the round 5 clash.
But they had no impact on the contest as the Swans outclassed West Coast in every facet of the game and piled on goals with ease and sealed a 121 (18.13) to 58 (9.4) victory.
Eagles fans were spotted leaving Optus Stadium midway through the second quarter, so poor was their side’s effort.
Viewers said the Eagles’ performance was utterly dismal and not up to AFL standard.
The ABC’s Dean Bilton tweeted: “West Coast playing like a team that just dropped a bunch of young, hungry players for underdone vets who have led the worst team in the league since the bye last year.”
Sports reporter Vince Rugari said: “This is absolutely pathetic from West Coast. Training run for the Swans.”
Sports presenter Paddy Sweeney joked: “Is the Mercy rule still a thing?”
If this game wasn't the only thing happening in Perth tonight.
— Alex Williams (@alexwilliams282) April 15, 2022
Everyone would have left. #afl#AFLEaglesSwans
Eagle's season is officially over. #AFLEaglesSwans
— Graeme Powell (@GraemePowell3) April 15, 2022
Making the loss even more damning for the Eagles is the fact the Swans were without star forward Buddy Franklin, who is recovering from a broken finger.
The result sees Sydney move to third on the ladder, while West Coast is third last with only one win to its name after five rounds.
Originally published as ‘Absolutely pathetic’: West Coast thrashed by Sydney in record-breaking loss
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