West Coast has validated themselves as premiership contenders, with a 46-point win over Richmond.
Here's everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: The Eagles are legit
It’s time to take the West Coast Eagles seriously. This team can win the premiership, and they proved it by taking down the side that currently holds that mantle.
The Eagles presented the perfect blueprint to defeating the Tigers in the first quarter.
West Coast didn’t allow Richmond to apply their trademark forward pressure, with a patient, measured ball movement system slowing the game down in the home side’s advantage.
Adam Simpson’s men took 28 uncontested marks in the opening stanza, which represents how committed they were to the game plan.
This approach allowed forward duo Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy to work their opponents, David Astbury and Alex Rance respectively, out of position, opening up multiple scoring avenues.
Q4: "They're legit, they're the real deal." @BenCameron23 on West Coast.
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) May 20, 2018
WC: 108
Rich: 63#AFLEaglesTigers
After a Tiger burst in the second term, the Eagles came out of half time breathing fire, trumping the premiers with tackling pressure and intensity, which created the framework for victory.
There is no side playing more confident football in the league, and when you consider West Coast’s newly created fortress at Optus Stadium, and their slew of elite talent, there is no reason why they can’t make some serious noise in September.
The Moment: Yeo can't argue with this
There was no greater visual indication of the Eagles’ increased vehemence in the third term than Elliot Yeo’s chase down tackle on Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin.
It set the tone for West Coast, one that was matched and exceeded by Yeo’s teammates for the rest of the second half.
Elliot Yeo said no to Dusty and Josh Kennedy made the most of it!#AFLEaglesTigers pic.twitter.com/Oc9hLd45bW
— AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2018
It was the highlight of a stunning quarter from Yeo, which included 11 disposals, five score involvements and four clearances.
The Star: Jack Darling
At what stage does Darling enter Brownlow Medal calculations?
If the All-Australian team was named today, Darling’s name would be cemented in the forward line, but it might be time to start thinking of greater individual accolades.
Darling was the most influential figure on the ground, with his defensive intensity and work rate in the forward half now complemented by a newfound belief.
The 25-year-old doesn’t see a mark he doesn’t think he can take, while his confidence in front of goal is paying dividends, his scoreboard return being a career-high six majors against Richmond.
During the AFL Nation broadcast, four-time Ross Glendinning Medallist Paul Hasleby called Darling the best player in the competition, a statement that doesn’t sound as crazy as it would have at the start of the year.
Q4: "Jack Darling is the best player in the comp right now." @PaulHasleby
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) May 20, 2018
WC: 96
Rich: 62#AFLEaglesTigers
What’s next?
West Coast travels to Etihad Stadium to battle Hawthorn on Sunday, while Richmond host St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday.
West Coast: 6.1, 7.2, 14.6, 20.10 (130)
Richmond: 2.3, 6.8, 9.8, 12.11 (83)
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 6, Kennedy 3, LeCras 3, Cripps 2, Redden 2, Rioli, Gaff, McGovern, Yeo
Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Short 2, Caddy, Edwards, Castagna, Conca, Houli
BEST
West Coast: Darling, Gaff, Redden, McGovern, Naitanui, Yeo
Richmond: Martin, Edwards, Nankervis, Riewoldt, Caddy
INJURIES
West Coast: Yeo (Knee/Ankle)
Richmond: Rance (Corkie)
REPORTS
West Coast: Nil
Richmond: Nil
CROWD: 57,616 at Optus Stadium.