The West Coast Eagles tensed their premier muscles with a dominant 12.9 (81) to 7.7 (49) win over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.
Since returning from Queensland, where the team had an unfortunate start to the season, the Eagles have expanded their winning streak to seven games.
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The unlucky Hawks made a valiant effort against the raging Eagles, but a slow start meant West Coast got the game going especially early in the game.
The Hawks went scoreless for the second time in 14 years in the first quarter when the Eagles scored 28 unanswered points before Hawthorn got on the board.
It wasn’t like Hawthorn didn’t stand a chance in the first quarter at 15 in the 50s without a goal.
“This was just a domination in the air, in the forward 50 and the defensive 50,” said Gerard Healy as the Eagles built a 43-point lead in the third quarter.
Similarly, former Collingwood 313 player and coach Tony Shaw has put the Eagles in Premier League favor.
“I think the West Coast Eagles and Geelong should be equal favorites for the Premier League just as they play their football,” Shaw told 3AW.
One of the big elements of the win was Liam Ryan’s three goals after scoring three brilliant points for the goal lineup.
SEE THE FIRST TWO DESTINATIONS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE AND THE THIRD BELOW
Shaw was blown away by Ryan’s performance too.
“Liam Ryan is a matchup nightmare for any opposing coach because he can jump on his head, he does it at ground level,” he said. “Tremendous talent.”
Josh Kennedy, who also scored three goals, said he was happy with Ryan’s performance but said he didn’t want to get caught in the act.
“The first time he rocked, he promised me he’d never put a hangar on my head,” said Kennedy.
“He can fly as long as I’m not there.”
On the other hand, Hawthorn was disappointing again with the 32-point loss.
Herald Sun writer Michael Randall was extremely critical of the Hawks’ performance.
“That’s an embarrassing Hawthorn footy. It’s not even a talent thing. It’s really basic things that shouldn’t be happening. Wingard Chip Intercept, Hardwick Handball Intercept, glass 50m protected area. Both Conors are unfortunately nowhere near the level, ”Randall tweeted.
But AFL Record and SEN senior writer Ashley Browne said it was “probably the best Hawthorn loss of the year, if there is such a thing”.
It was another heavy loss for the Hawks when James was helping Sicily off the ground within the last three minutes when his knee appeared to be bending in the wrong direction in an uncomfortable lump that had gone crooked.
However, he went into the Hawks’ shed without assistance.
The Hawks are back in action with the top of the Port Adelaide ladder next Saturday, while the Eagles play against the Giants on Sunday afternoon.
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