AFL: West Coast return from the bye to face a rejuvenated Carlton, who have not lost a game since sacking Michael Voss. Can the Eagles slow their charge to get a rare road win?
The Eagles will be boosted by the return of Willem Duursma, who missed their heartbreaking loss to North Melbourne, while midfield bull Jack Graham will return for his first game since having shoulder surgery.
Tom McCarthy is also back but Tim Kelly will miss with a hamstring strain in a huge blow to their on-ball group.
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HALF TIME CAR 10.6 (66) WCE 5.4 (34)
West Coast are probably lucky to be 32 points down which goes to show you how well they’ve gone.
After a hot start Harley Reid had no impact that quarter while Patrick Cripps is up to 19 touches and four clearances.
Eagles are also going at under 70 per cent disposal efficiency, which doesn’t help when you’ve had 100 less possessions.
For the Blues Talor Byrne has been the beneficiary of the mountain of ball inside 50 with three goals, while Sam Walsh has 20 touches.
Jagga Smith has seven clearances and 15 touches while Duursma has seven touches and a goal in the Rising Star battle.
Not sure the Eagles look up to the task of turning this one around but we’ll see if McQuatler can fire up the troops.
Blues march on
The top nine possession getters on the ground are all Carlton, with Ryan Maric and Jack Graham the only Eagles in double digits
Brady Hough off all people stops the rot with his second goal but there hasn’t been much to suggest the Eagles can prevent a deluge.
CAR 10.6 (66) WCE 5.4 (34)
Byrne has three
Set shots from directly in front are not his forte but he keeps up his great game to grab a third before half-time as the Blues hit back.
Mitch McGovern then converts his second from antoher centre clearnce win and all the Eagles hard work has unravelled.
CAR 9.6 (60) WCE 4.4 (28)
Bo Allan with a classy finish
The Eagles have at least started to even up this quarter getting a few more looks inside 50.
A loose ball and Bo Allan charges through evades the tackle and then comes up with the checkside finish to keep the Eagles in touch,
CAR 7.6 (48) WCE 4.4 (28)
Talor Byrne with a delightful finish
Ball bounces awkwardly for Rhett Bazzo and Byrne swoops in on the right and produces a delightful finish from the pocket.
Carlton continue to roll on.
CAR 7.6 (48) WCE 3.3 (21)
Hough stops Jagga
Forward 50 stoppage and Jagga Smith attempts to break free but Brady Hough runs him down to catch him holding the ball.
Set shot from just inside 50 and he prdocues a lovely finish.
CAR 6.6 (42) WCE 3.3 (21)
Can the Eagles respond?
Second quarter continues as the first as Carlton win the centre clearance and go inside 50 though the Eagles defend the first entry.
But the Blues come again and Patrick Cripps has it in the pocket and Ben Ainsworth is left alone to take an unontested mark closer to goal.
However, his shot hangs right.
CAR 6.6 (42) WCE 2.3 (15)
End of Q1 CAR 6.5 (41) WCE 2.2 (14)
Reid and Cripps share a laugh as they’ve had an entertaining battle as the quarter comes to an end.
Reid the only member of the Eagles midfield who can hold his head high after that quarter as they’ve been aboslutely smashed.
Blues have 131 dispsoals to Eagles 69 and are plus eight inside 50s and plus nine in clearances despite Bailey Williams dominating the hit outs.
Plenty for Andrew McQualter to think about if he’s going to turn this one around.
No.9’s face off
Another forward entry and Harley Reid is trying to defend Patrick Cripps but he’s wrong footed allowing the Carlton star an uncontested mark.
A lovely finish on the snap from 45 out to further cement the Blues dominace.
CAR 6.5 (41) WCE 2.2 (14)
Reid on fire
West Coast have not been great this quarter but that’s not on Harley Reid who’s had three clearances, five disposals three tackles and a big bump to boot.
Unfortunately, he’s one out in the midfield at the moment with the Blues swarming.
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