Eagles fight off pesky Crows

WEST Coast has overcome a plucky Adelaide by 10 points to stay in the race for a top-two berth.

The Eagles led by 27 points late in yesterday’s third quarter, and withstood a late Crows comeback to secure the 13.12 (90) to 12.8 (80) win at Optus Stadium.

Brisbane’s 91-point win over Gold Coast earlier in the round meant West Coast dropped from second to third on the ladder because of percentage.

But importantly, the Eagles remain equal on wins with both second-placed Brisbane and ladder leader Geelong.

Given those two teams face off on Saturday at the Gabba, West Coast will guarantee itself a top-two finish if it can win its final two games of the season — against Richmond (MCG) and Hawthorn (home).

Adelaide (10-10) is 1.5 percentage points adrift of eighthplaced Port Adelaide, and faces crunch games against Collingwood (home) and Bulldogs (away) in its final two games.

The Crows suffered a huge blow at the opening bounce of the third quarter when Rory Sloane was accidentally cleaned up by teammate Matt Crouch.

Sloane was left with blurred vision after copping Crouch’s shoulder to the head, and played no further part in the match.

West Coast won the inside-50m count 63-41 for the match.

Eagles forwards Jack Darling and Jake Waterman booted three goals apiece, as did Oscar Allen, while midfielder Luke Shuey tallied 10 clearances from his 29 disposals.

Crows forward Darcy Fogarty kicked five majors in just his 12th AFL match, while Matt Crouch (43 disposals) and Brad Crouch (35) were prominent.

West Coast won the inside-50s by 21-6 in the opening term, but it equated to a lead of only 12 points.

Adelaide evened up the supply battle in the second term, and it allowed Fogarty to boot his second and third goals.