WAFL Match Report: Eagles storm home to defeat Subiaco

The WAFL Eagles have continued their strong start to the season, charging home with a dominant final quarter to secure a 27-point victory over Subiaco at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

In perfect football conditions, with the sun shining and the ground in pristine order, the Eagles overturned a three-quarter-time deficit with a seven-goal final term to claim back-to-back wins.

West Coast welcomed back Jack Hutchinson for his first game of the season following ankle surgery late last year, with the 2024 mid-season recruit making his return felt on the scoreboard.

Subiaco made a fast start, opening the scoring straight from the centre bounce through Jack Petruccelle, who loomed large early against his former side. The Eagles responded through ruckman Matt Flynn, before a tense opening term unfolded with both sides trading momentum.

The Lions threatened to break away midway through the quarter with goals to Stefan Giro, Petruccelle and Ben Sokol, but West Coast answered through Harvey Johnston, Ryan Maric and Clay Hall to stay in touch. Late goals to Jack Mayo and Hudson Walker saw Subiaco take a 12-point lead into the first change.

The Lions came out with intent in the second term, extending their advantage through Petruccelle, Ryan Borchet and Mayo to push the margin beyond five goals. The Eagles steadied through goals to Jack Williams, Matt Owies and Malakai Champion, whose pace and pressure helped claw momentum back late in the half, cutting the margin to 14 points at the main break.

An intense third quarter followed, with turnovers on both sides. Borchet and Petruccelle again hit the scoreboard early for Subiaco, before Champion sparked another Eagles response. Hutchinson marked his return with a classy goal, before Tom Gross and Hall added majors to reduce the margin to just six points at three-quarter time.

With belief building, the Eagles exploded out of the blocks in the final term. Luca Greggo kicked the opening goal to give West Coast the lead for the first time, before Owies launched a long-range major to ignite a run of unanswered goals.

Johnston, Tylah Williams and Champion all found the middle as the Eagles’ youthful energy, fitness and pace overwhelmed the Lions, with Champion capping his afternoon with a brilliant running goal to stretch the margin beyond four goals.

The Eagles finished full of running to wrap up a 27-point victory, turning a tight contest into a commanding result.

Petruccelle was dominant for the Lions, finishing with four goals and six inside 50s, while Liam Hickmott also had a strong impact with 28 touches. Borchet was a constant danger inside 50, kicking three goals.

For West Coast, Fin Macrae was impressive through the midfield as he continues to push his case at AFL level, finishing with 26 disposals. Champion’s speed and clever forward craft were on full display, creating repeated scoring opportunities, while Gross also impressed with 29 disposals and a goal.

Flynn was influential in the ruck, dominating the stoppages with 49 hit outs, 20 disposals and a goal.

The WAFL Eagles return to Mineral Resources Park in round four to take on Swan Districts, with bouncedown at 1:10pm on Sunday, April 26.

West Coast Eagles 4.2, 7.5, 11.7, 16.12 (108)

Subiaco 6.2, 9.7, 12.7, 12.9 (81)

Goals

West Coast: Champion (3), Owies (2), Johnston (2), Hall (2), Williams, Gross, Hutchinson, Grego, T. Williams, Flynn, Maric, J. Williams.

Subiaco: Petruccelle (4),Borchet (3), Mayo (2), Giro, Sokol, Walker.

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