AFL Live Updates: West Coast Eagles hunt first win against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium
AFL: West Coast’s clash with North Melbourne has been labelled winnable, but they will need to be sharp after the Kangaroos touched up Port last week.
Liam Baker, Harry Edwards and Tim Kelly all return for the Eagles’ home opener while Willem and Zane Duursma will meet for the first time as AFL rivals.
The last eight games between these two teams have been decided by 15 points or less and the battle of the rebuilds promises a good contest again today.
Follow all the action with our live blog.
FT: West Coast 111, North Melbourne 94
The Eagles snap a 14-game losing streak and hand nine players their first-ever AFL victory!
They promised much before the season and showed some of it today as the fans belt out the song as it rings around Optus for the first time in 308 days.
Two minutes left
West Coast fans are chanting “Eagles” with their team edging closer to victory.
WCE 111, NM 94
One goes back
West Coast have put an extra player behind the ball as they start to slow things down with a mark-kick game.
Baker has limped to the bench with an ankle concern after a smothering player fell across his leg.
WCE 111, NM 94
Turnover!
Shanahan has gone back and took a great saving mark only to turn it over with a dangerous kick.
Konstanty spears it home and the margin is 19 points.
WCE 111, NM 94
Tense
The Eagles are owning the territory but just can’t score.
Until North nearly escaped and Young came up clutch!
He stops the chaos ball and gets a calming kick away.
The ball gets forward to Yeo who puts it inside 50 with Murdock cleans up the spill and snaps one from 35!
WCE 111, NM 88
Steadier
When the Eagles needed it most, Waterman stands up and gets his first.
The kick coming in was poor from Duggan but Waterman was in front and got to the drop of the ball.
He slots the set shot and it gives the young Eagles a chance to take a breath and calm down.
On the down side, Cripps has come to the bench to get his shoulder checked.
WCE 104, NM 87
Six!
Larkey beats two defenders to take a mark in the pocket and slots his sixth.
Ginbey has been huge but North are getting too many looks forward.
The Eagles thought they had a goal through Waterman but a free kick rubbed it out.
WCE 98, NM 87
Roos press
Larkey missed his first set shot of the season having kicked eight straight across two weeks but given another chance, he reduces the margin to 18 points.
North Melbourne looked good on the repeat entries with smart kicks to their spearhead.
West Coast need a clearance or three.
WCE 98, NM 80
Game on!
A 50-metre penalty hands McDonald a look at goals and the Roos defender nails it.
Reid gave away the 50 kicking the ball forward after not hearing the umpire call holding the ball on Waterman.
WCE 98, NM 73
Melee
Comben drops Reid after Yeo slots a goal after the siren and it’s one for young and old!
Eagles come from everywhere to defend their young bull and even the bench players get into it.
The Comben hit on Reid was high and dirty and will be looked at.
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