Eagles regain their mojo to crush Swans

IT took until halfway through its fourth match in Queensland, but West Coast finally found full throttle.

Following three straight losses and a rusty first half against Sydney yesterday, the Eagles of old were unleashed.

The only sour note was the hamstring injury to skipper Luke Shuey in their 11.11 (77) to 6.7 (43) triumph.

Nic Naitanui monstered a weakened Swans ruck division, Elliot Yeo broke free from his form slump and the muchvaunted forward line got rolling.

The intensity around the contest was back and the ball movement improved as West Coast took the game on.

With a trip to the Gabba to play battling Adelaide next Saturday before returning to Perth for the Derby in Round 7, things are looking more rosy for Adam Simpson’s men.

Leading by two points early in the third quarter, the game was in the balance for West Coast.

Until Tom Barrass changed the momentum – and maybe his team’s season.

Known more for his spoiling and dour defensive game, the Eagles fullback took full flight, sitting on the shoulders of young Swan Jordan Dawson to pull down a Mark of the Year contender.

The ensuing sequence included nice play from Yeo through traffic and a lovely pass from Jake Waterman to Jack Darling, who finished off with a goal.

The Eagles did not look back, kicking the next six goals to put the game away.

While Eagle Josh Kennedy and Darling struggled, particularly early, young forwards Waterman and Oscar Allen took the reins. Playing his first game in 2020, Waterman kicked two first-quarter goals.