Round 23 2018

Brisbane v West Coast
Round 23, 2018

Darling kicked four goals. Photo: aflphotos.com.au

Date

Sun, 26 August 2018 (1.10pm EST)

Venue

Gabba

Attendance

16,367

Result

Won by 26

Score

WCE 14.14.98 - 11.6.72 BRI

Brownlow

3 J.Cripps (WCE)
2 J.Darling (WCE)
1 D.Beams (BRI)

Ladder

2nd

<--Prev

Next-->

West Coast sewed up second spot and a home qualifying final with a low-key win over the Lions in Brisbane. The Eagles turned the scres in the second quarter, kicking four unanswered goals, and were able to hold Brisbane at bay in the second half. Jamie Cripps was busy again with three goals from 23 touches and Jack Redden worked hard against his old side with 27 possessions.

Summary

		1/4 time		1/2 time		3/4 time		Final
Brisbane		4.0.24		4.2.26		7.6.48		11.6.72
West Coast		5.4.34		9.7.61		12.12.84		14.14.98

Goals: Darling 4, Cripps, Ryan 3, Venables 2, Hutchings, Rioli

Best: Cripps, Darling, Redden, Shuey, Sheed, Ryan, Hutchings

Injuries: Sheppard (corked thigh)

Milestones: McGovern 100th game

Named sides

	West Coast				Brisbane
B:	25.Hurn	37.Barrass	5.Sheppard	B:	2.Hodge	31.Andrews	18.Robertson
HB:	28.Cole	20.McGovern	14.Duggan	HB:	10.Rich	25.McStay	26.Cutler
C:	4.Sheed	13.Shuey	7.Masten	C:	28.Taylor	5.Robinson	15.Zorko
HF:	34.Hutchings	27.Darling	15.Cripps	HF:	16.Rayner	30.Hipwood	6.McCluggage
F:	44.Rioli	19.Vardy	2.LeCras	F:	3.Christensen	46.McInerney	37.Starcevich
R:	29.Lycett	6.Yeo	8.Redden	R:	12.Martin	13.Berry	9.D.Beams
I:	1.Ryan	12.O.Allen	18.Venables	I:	14.Walker	33.Bailey	35.Lester
	31.Schofield				36.Mathieson
E:	30.Nelson	41.Ah Chee	43.M.Allen	E:	20.Cox	32.Mayes	38.Ballenden
	45.Waterman				39.Lyons

In: O.Allen,Schofield

Out: Jetta (calf), Ah Chee

Quarter by quarter

Both sides went in as named. Forecast rain made the first half a slippery affair before giving way to sunshine in the second half.

From the coach

"I'm really, really proud of our players. They've been fronting up all year and we started the year pretty well. We went through a bit of adversity in the back half, obviously losing some games and losing Nic and the whole Gaff incident was difficult. To lock away top two, it took us to the last round, we're very ecstatic. I'm very proud of our players.

"...I thought in the second quarter we really got on top of the contest and field position from the contest was critical for us. It was our focus before the game and how we defend behind that was important. After they kicked the first few goals of the last quarter, I wasn't thinking 'this is all over'. The way that Brisbane play is exciting. Chris (Fagan) has got them going in a real positive direction.

"...(Darling) played his role today but I thought our small forwards were really good as well, really dangerous with their run and endurance. The forward line, when we get it in there and keep it in there, they're pretty sharp."

From the papers

The West Australian

"They were keen to at least shape the top four in their final assignment of 2018, and given the vast improvements they have made in coach Chris Fagan’s second campaign at the helm, it was rightly billed as a danger game for the Eagles.

It certainly looked like one during the first quarter, with the lead changing hands six times as players came to terms with the slippery conditions after a morning of heavy rain.

But West Coast killed off the contest in just the second term, booting four goals and restricting the Lions to two behinds to lead by 35 points at the long break.

They were never in any real doubt after that, although Brisbane rallied in the last quarter and outscored West Coast four goals to two to give the 16,367-strong Gabba crowd something to cheer about."

The Age

"The Eagles were even across the ground, with a number of fine contributors. Jamie Cripps was outstanding both forward and further afield, especially early, with three goals and 23 possessions. Jack Darling and Liam Ryan were constant threats, with Ryan giving the Lions enormous grief with his speed and attacking flair.

And in the middle, Luke Shuey and the reborn Jack Redden controlled the contest at ground level with 18 clearances between them, while at half-back Elliot Yeo continued his likely All-Australian form, laying nine tackles alongside his 21 possessions. As is typical, Shannon Hurn barely wasted one of his 19 kicks.

Without Nic Naitanui in the ruck, however, the Eagles have a problem. Stefan Martin easily won his battle with Scott Lycett and Vardy, gathering five clearances himself in the first quarter alone. In two weeks, Lycett and Vardy will face Brownlow Medal fancy Brodie Grundy, and it’s an advantage Collingwood will be keen to exploit."

East Perth report

Round 21 (25 August)

East Perth locked in a finals berth with a big win over Peel Thunder at Rushton Park. The Royals were all over Peel from the opening bounce, and ran out 84-point winners. Luke Partington continued his good form with 29 possessions and three goals, and Brayden Ainsworth had a team-high 33 disposals.

Appearing for East Perth: Ah Chee, Ainsworth, M.Allen, Brander, Brayshaw, Karpany, McInnes, Mutimer, Partington, Rotham, Petruccelle, Waterman, Watson. Reserves: Bayok, England.

Injury list

In the leadup to the match the following players were listed as injured or unavailable:

Player		Injury		Expected return
MacKenzie		Toe		Season
Naitanui		Knee		Season
Gaff		Suspension		Season
Kennedy		Shin		1 week
Darling		Concussion		Test
Schofield		Hamstring		Test
Olango*		Hamstring		Test
Burrows*		Ankle		TBC		(not on official list)

References

http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2018/23/bl-v-wce

https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2018/181920180826.html