RECAP: Oscar Allen’s four goals keeps West Coast Eagles in fight against Geelong
West Coast were 100 points behind at halftime the last time they faced Geelong, but trailed by just 11 at three-quarter time before falling to defeat.
Draftee Bo Allan returned to the team for his second AFL game and started as the sub while Archer Reid filled the gaping hole left by the injured Jake Waterman.
Harry Edwards was set for a date with the red-hot Jeremy Cameron but Reuben Ginbey ended up with the task and performed admirably.
Recap all the action from our blog.
Good night!
The Eagles fought hard against the Cats but could not get the result after a last quarter fade.
Hewett got them within a goal in the final term before the Cats cream rose to the top with seven goals to one after that.
It’s something to build on as they head to Bunbury to face North Melbourne next week.
Until then, good night!
Next steps
Three-word analysis
FULL TIME: West Coast 73, Geelong 116
The Eagles’ story is getting better but it remains the same.
They showed exciting glimpses of what their future could look like but when they ran out of steam they fell away badly.
Cameron gets four of his five goals in junk time of the last quarter to hurt a great effort from Ginbey.
Reid and Hewett were electric in patches and gave the fans hope but the side’s errors just cost them far too much.
Baker leads the Eagles, he had a great night in defence and leading the rebounds.
Tom Cole got busy late and popped up with four clearances as the home side won that stat.
Oscar Allen ends with four goals.
Empty tank
The Eagles are gassed now and are doing their best to hang in.
Allan has struggled to pick up the pace of the game and has given away free kicks.
Cameron now has three goals but Ginbey has been outstanding tonight.
WCE 72, GEE 103
Long bomb!
Jack Williams makes the most of a set shot.
Bo Allan and Baker were involved in the set up from a wing contest and the young forward rewards them with a goal from 50 metres.
It’s his second of the night.
WCE 72, GEE 89
Eagles fans show out
The official crowd number for WA Day eve is 42,501.
They will be fairly happy with the fight they have seen from West Coast.
Eagles sub
Bo Allan is on and heading into defence.
Ryan Maric is out of the game as a tactical sub.
WCE 66, GEE 89
Two-goal burst
The game just got real hard for the Eagles.
They give up two clearances in the middle and the Cats make the most of it.
Long missed a shot to level the scores before Geelong’s mini run.
WCE 65, GEE 83
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