THE KANGAROOS’ six-game winning streak has been brought toan abrupt end with a 66-point loss to the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco.
The Roos trailed by just 18 points at three-quarter time,but they spurned their chances in the final term and the Eagles capitalised witheight unanswered goals to win, 18.13 (121) to 7.13 (55)
True to their word, both coaches went with the attackingstyles which have brought them success this year.
The Kangaroos made an emphatic statement that they had cometo play with a quick centre break at the opening bounce resulting in a runninggoal to Andrew Swallow with just 17 seconds on the clock.
The rival coaching staffs worked overtime to get theirmatch-ups right with Brady Rawlings on the dangerous Chris Judd, Matt Rosashadowing Shannon Grant and Michael Firrito being given the job of on QuintenLynch.
The Kangaroos stayed on the attack in the centre square buttheir edge was blunted by a confident and composed Eagles defence.
Despite the efforts of skipper Adam Simpson, Rawlings andSwallow, the Eagles midfield gained the ascendancy through sheer weight andquality of possessions.
With a bit of luck, the Kangaroos could have been closerthan their 31-point deficit at halftime, posting six straight points behinds inthe second quarter.
Shannon Grant was working hard but, along with Corey Jonesand Brent Harvey, had little to show for his efforts in the first half. HamishMcIntosh was holding his own against Dean Cox in the centre square bounces but strugglingto match him around the ground.
A strangely subdued Eagles outfit emerged after half-timeand the Kangaroos took immediate advantage of their drop in intensity. JessSinclair, Glen Archer and Joshua Gibson lifted their work rate out of thedefensive 50 and the Kangaroos posted consecutive goals to Aaron Edwards andJones to open the quarter.
Grant, now under the watch of Shannon Hurn, broke free to kickhis second late in the quarter before marking again on the 3 quarter timesiren. His third goal put the Roos within 18 points at the final break.
Poor delivery into the forward 50 in the opening five minutesof the final quarter robbed the Kangaroos of the chance to play some realpressure on what appeared to be a tiring Eagles outfit. When Judd broke freefrom Rawlings to goal from 50 on the run to heat was off the reigning premiersand they eased away to a comfortable 66-point victory.
Simpson, Rawlings, Swallow, Jesse Smith and McIntosh battledall day to keep the Kangaroos in the match but the class of the Eagles midfieldand the composure of its defence proved too great a hurdle to jump.
The Kangaroos will come away knowing they have what it takesto match it with the best in the competition but understanding where they mustlift to be considered a real flag threat. Dean Laidley will be working hard tomake to sure his young side is ready to rebound strongly against St Kilda nextSunday.
WESTCOAST 5.4 8.8 10.9 18.13 (121)
KANGAROOS 3.1 3.7 7.9 7.13 (55)
GOALS
West Coast: QLynch 3 M Morton 2 C Judd 2 M LeCras 2 D Cox 2 D Wirrpanda M Priddis R Jones DChick M Seaby M Rosa M Brown.
Kangaroos: SGrant 3 A Swallow L Thomas A Edwards C Jones.
BEST
West Coast: MPriddis M Braun D Cox A Selwood D Chick.
Kangaroos: ASwallow B Rawlings S Grant A Simpson J Sinclair.
Umpires: BRosebury B Allen M Nicholls.
Official crowd:40,751 at Subiaco Oval.
