RIOLI ON FIRE FOR EAGLES
WEST Coast has overcome the early loss of star midfielder Luke Shuey to post a 42-point win over Port Adelaide in their AFL clash at Optus Stadium.
Shuey injured his right hamstring just two minutes into the match but the Eagles were still able to power their way to the 16.6 (102) to 9.6 (60) victory in front of 50,516 fans yesterday.
The game was all but over by the 20-minute mark of the third quarter, when West Coast led by 55 points.
Port launched a spirited fightback to reduce the margin to 25 points early in the final quarter but goals to Mark Hutchings and Jack Petruccelle officially ended the contest.
Eagles forward Jack Darling starred with three goals and six contested marks, while Jack Redden (32 disposals, eight clearances) and the NT’s Willie Rioli (16 possessions, two goals) helped cover the loss of Shuey in the midfield.
The win improved West Coast’s record to 6-1 but the side faces a tough schedule over the next three weeks.
Port Adelaide was touted as a premiership fancy at the start of the year but three losses from its past four games have left the Power (4-3) on shaky ground.
Apart from a brief fightback in the third quarter when they kicked four unanswered goals, Port lacked any true bite or fight against the Eagles.
Shuey’s early exit yesterday saw Eagles coach Adam Simpson hand goalsneak Rioli some significant midfield stints.
Rioli stood up to the task, tallying some important possessions and setting up several attacking forays.
The 22-year-old kicked a good crumbing goal late in the second quarter. And just minutes later he dived on a loose ball and fired a quick handball to Petruccelle, who kicked truly to give West Coast a 37point lead at halftime.