EAGLES FELL GIANTS

WEST Coast survived a late scare from Greater Western Sydney to make it six from six in its hometown run, returning to the top four with a 12point win at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

After the Eagles built a 37point lead early in the final quarter, the Giants kicked the last four goals of the game before losing 9.7 (61) to 7.7 (49) and missing a chance to return to the top eight.

West Coast’s stars stepped up to ensure the team won its eighth straight match, with defender Jeremy McGovern controlling the air to take 10 marks and build a wall in the Eagles’ backline.

Ruckman Nic Naitanui was instrumental in building an early lead before fading, while key forward Jack Darling booted three goals.

The win completed a 6-0 run at home after the Eagles returned from the Gold Coast hub in round six in 11th spot. They now return to Queensland as a well-oiled machine in the top four.

Giants coach Leon Cameron would have demanded a response after last week’s horror loss to Sydney, and it came with 23 tackles in the opening quarter.

But while that was impressive, it was not enough to stop the powerful Eagles, who piled on the first five goals of the game. The Giants had energy and run and tackled hard, but the traits that made them a feared team in 2019 were missing, moving the ball slowly and never threatening offensively.

Former captain Callan Ward said the players needed to get back to using their accurate kicking and attacking ball use, but they overpossessed instead, racking up 39 more possessions in the first half for little benefit.

Naitanui had eight possessions in the first quarter, six of them clearances and one a brilliant goal off a step.