West Coast have stunned GWS in a high-pressure contest with a seven-point triumph at Giants Stadium.
Key points:
- West Coast are now 2-2 after four games thanks to a tough seven-point win over GWS
- Eagles captain Emma Swanson was the stand out player in a determined defensive performance
- Gold Coast upset St Kilda by 14 points in Mackay
The Eagles withstood a barrage of late attacks from the desperate Giants to hold on for a 2.4 (16) to 1.3 (9) victory on Saturday.
Skipper Emma Swanson led the way for the Eagles with 23 disposals and seven tackles, as the visitors looked determined to quickly bounce back from a thumping at the hands of expansion club Essendon last week.
The Eagles (2-2) held on in the early morning match despite suffering a blow just before half-time when Jessica Sedunary had to be helped from the field with a calf injury.
The 31-year-old midfielder’s experience was a noticeable loss but gave some younger teammates an opportunity to step up, with Isabella Lewis especially impressive as she gathered 16 clean disposals.
Alyce Parker fought hard for the Giants as she continued her outstanding start to the season with 26 disposals, while Alicia Evan was also important in the midfield with 17 touches.
Cora Staunton ran out with a fractured nose and looked as imposing with the bandages wrapped around her head early, but was ultimately held scoreless after kicking four goals the last time the teams met.
The Giants had more of the ball with 215-174 disposals as they looked to open up the game and play with more run and dare with the match on the line late, but were unable to back up their victory last week and have slumped to a 1-3 record.
The visitors were unable to make the most of their early chances as the Giants went into the first change leading 1.1 to 0.2 after Georgia Garnett opened the goalscoring.
But the visitors pressed their advantage around the stoppages in the second term with goals to Mikayla Western and Swanson while keeping the Giants scoreless.
A heavy shower at half-time tightened up the match even more as neither team hit the scoreboard in the third term, but the Eagles were able to dig in late to hold on for the win.
Meanwhile, the Gold Coast Suns recorded an upset 14-point win over St Kilda up in Mackay.
The Saints were hoping to move back into the top four, but ran into an impressive Suns side who were led by Kalinda Howarth (22 disposals, two goals) and Charlie Rowbottom (30 disposals).
Caitlin Greiser kicked two for the Saints, who were perhaps fortunate not to have lost by more considering Gold Coast’s innacuracy, the Suns running out 5.12 (42) to 4.4 (28) winners.
AAP/ABC
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
