Goalkickers: Garlett 3, Betts 2, Judd, Murphy, Scotland, Yarran, Armfield 1.

Reports: Quinten Lynch (West Coast) reported by umpire Jeffery in the fourth quarter for forceful contact on Marc Murphy. Will Schofield (West Coast) reported for tripping Marc Murphy.

Umpires: S. Jeffery, S. Stewart, M. Vozzo

Injuries: Michael Jamison (knee), Mitch Robinson (general soreness) replaced in selected side by Mark Austin

Ladder: 4th

Game Review

With the West Coast Eagles’ rapid improvement during season 2011 the round 14 clash against Carlton became a very important one for both sides. The Blues were looking to consolidate third place and establish a break from the pack outside the four while the Eagles looked to prove their credibility as a legitimate contender and get a much needed victory away from Perth.

A wave of injuries coming out of the clash against Sydney left the Blues sporting quite a different looking and less experienced team. The unfortunate PCL injury to ruckman Shaun Hampson (sadly in career best form) paved the way for the return of Robert Warnock, not sighted since his concussion against Geelong in round 9, whilst Nick Duigan, Ed Curnow and Mitch Robinson all joined Hampson on the sidelines with various ailments. In came Dennis Armfield, Mark Austin (his first for the season) and Rhys O’Keeffe on debut as the substitute.

Probably the biggest factor for Carlton and West Coast in their respective ascents of the ladder this season has been their ability to defend as a collective unit. Both teams clearly spent quite some time during the pre-season refining and improving their defensive press. The Eagles employed theirs beautifully from the outset against the Blues and it was clear that their ability to restrict the run and flow of Carlton was a major focus. Despite a lot of early congestion in the Blues forward line Jeff Garlett managed to briefly break the shackles with a lovely pick-pocket’s steal and curled goal for the opener, but the Eagles responded shortly after to level the scores again. From there it was a sustained period of attack from the Eagles but the nett result was just a single goal. Well held early, Chris Judd stretched high for a mark on the wing and with the benefit of a soft 50m penalty was able to convert the set shot to level the scores. But it was the Eagles who had the better of the term, and but for more accurate finishing could have easily gone in three goals clear instead of just three points.

While the Blues may have been considered a little fortunate to remain so close at quarter time the luck ran out during the second. The West Coast's tall forwards were dominating the marking contests and stretching the Carlton defence to the limit which was exacerbated by the injury to the Blues’ number one defender Michael Jamison. Jamison injured a knee early in the term, left the ground for treatment, returned briefly to the defence, briefly rolled the dice up forward and eventually subbed out just before half time. His demise saw the introduction and debut of Rhys O’Keeffe. Whilst this sideshow unfolded the Eagles went about their business beautifully continuing with their stifling defensive pressure and kicking six goals for the term. Oh and Nic Naitanui submitted his nomination for mark of the year in the process. The Blues did manage a couple during the onslaught through text book crumbing from Eddie Betts and Jeff Garlett, but in general they looked out of sorts and the 28 point half time deficit illustrated as much.

The opening of the third quarter gave Carlton fans a glimmer of hope. The Blues seemed to awaken from their slumber with four goals in ten minutes or so to eradicate most of the Eagles lead and draw within four points. Marc Murphy jump started the Blues with a beautiful gather off the pack. He sped into the open goal square and eventually toe-poked the ball through after being tripped. Goals from Heath Scotland, Garlett (finishing off Kade Simpson’s snap) and Betts (another lovely crumbing effort) followed in quick succession. But just when the knees of the Eagles began to buckle they steadied and booted four of the next five to once again gain momentum and push their lead back out to 22 points at the final change.

The Blues really needed the planets to align to be any chance in the last quarter and when the Eagles kicked the first of the term to extend their lead the game was close to over. Dennis Armfield kicked the Blues only goal for the term to make the deficit a gettable 24 points with plenty of time to spare, but the Eagles closed the game out clinically kicking the final two goals late in quarter to give them a convincing six goal victory against the disappointing Blues.

Team

Changes

In : Dennis Armfield, Mark Austin, Rhys O’Keeffe, Robert Warnock.
Out : Shaun Hampson, Nick Duigan, Ed Curnow, Mitch Robinson.
Late changes : Ed Curnow was replaced in the squad by Paul Bower on Saturday, and Mark Austin replaced Mitch Robinson in the selected side.

Subs: Rhys O'Keeffe replaced Michael Jamison late in the second quarter.

Milestones

Debut : Rhys O'Keeffe
Last Game : Mark Austin

Brownlow Votes

3. Matt Priddis, West Coast
2. Heath Scotland, Carlton
1. Will Schofield, West Coast

Best & Fairest Votes

Heath Scotland 37, Marc Murphy 25, Eddie Betts 20, Kade Simpson 10, Bret Thornton 6, Bryce Gibbs 3

Ladder