WEST COAST 2.20.10 (148) bt FREMANTLE 0.10.4 (64) at Arena Joondalup
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Eagles took full advantage of a favourable breeze, kicking two successive super goals courtesy of Mitch Brown and Shannon Hurn to start the match in sensational fashion. Chris Masten kicked three first-quarter goals as Fremantle had no answer, falling 46 points behind at the first change.
West Coast, led by debutant coach Adam Simpson, continued where they left off in the second term, kicking four answered goals. The Dockers showed some resistance, booting two majors themselves but it hardly chipped away at the deficit, with the Eagles heading into the sheds with an 11-goal lead.
If stand-in coach Peter Sumich was hoping for a response after half-time, he did not get it. Injury-plagued midfielder Sharrod Wellingham got the ball rolling in the third term, kicking two quick goals in a sign that he may be ready to repay the faith shown in him by the Eagles. West Coast added another five goals before the third-quarter time siren.
West Coast, understandably, took their foot off the accelerator in the final quarter. That opened the door for Fremantle to chip away at the scoreboard. The Dockers kicked five goals, with new recruit Scott Gumbleton and Nat Fyfe amongst those slotting between the big sticks.
ANY FALLOUT
It might have been their first competitive match of 2014, but the Dockers were off the pace by quite a mile. Ross Lyon, fans and pundits expect some cobwebs and rustiness during the early stages of the year but none expected such a lack of intensity and passion from last season's grand finalists. Eagles tagger Patrick McGinnity could also find himself in hot water for a bump on Alex Pearce, who left the ground after the incident.
WHO STARRED
Wellingham, just as we saw with Michael Rischitelli last night, seems to be fit and firing following a difficult first-up campaign in Western Australia. The former Magpie booted three majors in a 14-possession game. Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands was unsurprisingly dominant in the ruck, registering 46 hit outs but lacked options at ground level. Though, Fyfe finished strongly, registering a game-high 26 disposals.
WHAT ABOUT MY FANTASY TEAM?
Matt Priddis is sure to be another lock for most fantasy team coaches. The ball magnet racked up 25 disposals, 11 of those coming in the opening quarter alone. He also made nine tackles and took three marks. You can add Luke Shuey to that list. He had 26 touches and two goals.
WHAT NEXT
Fremantle fly over to Melbourne for their clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday February 26, while West Coast are in action the following day, tackling the Sydney Swans at Blacktown International Sportspark.