AFL Watch: Matt Flynn, Tom Gross, Malakai Champion among West Coast Eagles who impressed in win over Subiaco

After a slow start, West Coast came home with a wet sail to chase down Subiaco and storm to a commanding 27-point WAFL win — and it was a mix of old heads and young guns who set up their side for success. Harry Barnett: Had eight disposals and 11 hit-outs in a back-up ruck role behind Matt Flynn. Impacted a few contests but otherwise failed to really leave much of an imprint on the game. Rhett Bazzo: Was culpable for back-to-back Subiaco goals in the second quarter, but was one of West Coast’s best from that moment on. A measure of composure as his side began to get front foot football, ended the game with an equal game-high of 10 marks — including some important ones late — and 21 disposals. Malakai Champion: The stats catch the eye as the young forward kicked three goals from 20 disposals. But he also linked well as a high half-forward who moved through midfield at times and showed composure and smarts to make the right decision on multiple occasions. Tom Cole: Steady down back and his distribution got his team out of a hole a couple of times. Finished with 21 touches, five marks and three tackles. Tyrell Dewar: Started very slowly but grew in confidence and prominence as the game went on. Had just six touches in the first half, but finished with 21 in an outside midfield role. Matt Flynn: Both the Eagles’ best and their most-influential player in the win. It started in the ruck, with an eye-watering 50 hit-outs as he helped his midfield get first crack at the clearance. But his follow-up work was good too, and he finished with 23 disposals and five marks, including a towering one which helped his side cut the deficit to single digits in the third term. Lucca Grego: Looked better and better as the game went on. The half-back enjoyed 26 disposals and got forward in the final quarter to kick the major which gave West Coast the lead for good. Tom Gross: Close to Flynn for best-on-ground. The young midfielder had 15 first-half disposals, but was slightly unclean at times. Continued to hunt the footy and finished with gaudy numbers of 29 disposals, seven inside 50s and seven marks. Clay Hall: Worked well with Gross and Finlay Macrae to help West Coast get on top in midfield. Had 26 disposals, six tackles and four inside 50s and drove his side forward well in the second half. Jack Hutchinson: In his first game back from an ankle injury, he was quiet early with just one disposal in the opening quarter. But he made a big impact in the third term as he found the tempo and put his body on the line numerous times. Ended the match with 12 touches and four tackles. Harvey Johnston: Playing as a forward, he kicked two goals and showed some composure in open play a couple of times. Recorded 17 disposals and five inside 50s to round out an impressive showing. Finlay Macrae: Industrious in midfield, Macrae was busy early and continued to impact the match as it progressed. Stuffed the stat box with 26 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s. Ryan Maric: Spent some time on the wing early before dropping to half-back. Finished with 12 disposals and would have had more, had he not been withdrawn midway through the third term to serve as an Eagles emergency for the western derby. Matt Owies: A slow starter, Owies affected the match more and more as West Coast got the upper hand and provided some much-needed forward pressue. Took a tough mark on the goal-line which forced him off the field with a head wound, but recovered and ended the match with two goals and six inside 50s from 15 touches. Jack Williams: Turning into a steady hand and a dependable presence up forward. Finished with just one goal and a couple of near-misses, but had five marks among his 15 touches. Tylah Williams: Showed flashes and was another Eagle who got better the more game-time he got. The speedster tallied nine disposals and looked confident late as he slotted the game’s final goal.