Another week in the AFL and another week of struggles for the WA teams, with both the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers suffering big losses on the weekend.
Fremantle continues to struggle to kick a competitive score and stop the opposition from scoring, and there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel for West Coast as their season continues to go from bad to worse.
Brisbane Lions v Fremantle Dockers
Brisbane Lions 17.13 (115) v Fremantle Dockers 10.7 (67)
Fremantle’s disappointing start to the season continues with another significant loss, raising many questions from the Purple Army in a season where Fremantle was meant to push for flag considerations.
The battle in the midfield was clearly won by Brisbane from start to finish, putting Fremantle’s defence under pressure the whole day and making it hard for Fremantle to establish any pressure in their own forward line. The clear performance indicator and takeaway for the match was Brisbane winning the inside 50 count 62 to 42.
Watch the highlights of the game
Good
Sean Darcy continues to be a workhorse and a force for Fremantle.
Again, Darcy won the ruck matchup. This week, he not only racked up 39 hit outs, but he was also influential around the ground collecting 18 disposals.
Darcy’s current form should have him in All Australian conversation, and you have to wonder where Fremantle would be if they didn’t have Darcy dominating in the ruck.
Bad
Fremantle continues to struggle with two key facets of the game – offence and defence.
In back-to-back weeks, Fremantle has scored less than 70 while giving up over 100 to their opposition.
Against Brisbane, Fremantle’s key forwards were nowhere to be seen as the midfield made up six of their ten goals for the day.
West Coast Eagles v Carlton Blues
West Coast Eagles 6.8 (44) v Carlton Blues 23.14 (152)
When you have an injury list that’s as long as your healthy player list, expectations for a competitive game go out the window.
While Adam Simpson will be the first to tell you that the injury list isn’t an excuse, a list as extensive as the one West Coast has currently can’t be ignored. However, if West Coast did have more senior players available, would the final outcome of a loss to Carlton have been any different?
Watch the highlights of the game
Good
When you’re beaten by more than 100 points, it’s hard to find a positive to shine a spotlight on. However, with limited supply and with limited support, Oscar Allen continues to hit the scoreboard and rack up goals for West Coast.
Many may have thought with the departure of Josh Kennedy that the baton would have been passed to Jack Darling for at least a season; however, Allen has shown he’s West Coast’s key forward of the present and future.
Bad
West Coast backline had no answers for the onslaught from key Carlton forwards Curnow (9), McKay (2) and Silvagni (3) as they kicked 14 goals between them.
With an inability to win or control the ball in the midfield, West Coast’s backline was under pressure for the majority of the game and not even All Australia Tom Barrass could do anything to stop Carlton’s goal parade.
Up Next
- Richmond Tigers (16) v West Coast Eagle (18) @ MCG
- Fremantle Dockers (14) v Hawthorn Hawks (17) @ Optus Stadium
Feature image: Matt Turner / AAP
