West Coast isn’t flying high right now - but they’re getting the job done. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) They’re not quite back yet. But they’re getting there. West Coast has made it two wins on the trot after knocking off St Kilda on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium. It was their seventh straight win in Melbourne. And though Adam Simpson’s side wasn’t anywhere near its premiership best, the 18-point victory keeps them on the winning side of the ledger heading into a preliminary final rematch with Melbourne next Friday night. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > ‘THE GREATEST’: BEN COUSINS MEETS WITH RICHMOND OFFICIALS, YOUNG STAR It’s clear West Coast isn’t a true premiership threat right now; not to say that they can’t win it, but they’re just not in that form yet. After being thumped by Port Adelaide and Geelong, the Eagles have bounced back by beating Gold Coast and St Kilda; two sides with winning records at the time, but also two sides who surprisingly burst out of the blocks and seem to be falling back to earth. And much like the win over the Suns, this was closer than the at-arms-length margin suggested. The Saints weren’t out of it until Josh Kennedy awakened from his slumber, as the superstar forward had just two touches with no marks in the opening half, before booting two goals in a minute nearing the end of the third term. While St Kilda got within two kicks with 1:25 to play, they were unable to get any closer than that. Before then, this was the sort of scrappy, pressure-filled contest that we associate with St Kilda. Alan Richardson’s side, which begun the season 4-1, now sits at 4-4. They aren’t looking anywhere near as bad as they did in 2018, but they’re clearly missing that extra something that true finals sides have. The fact that the post-game interviews on the ground were mostly about some Eagles players getting stuck in a lift shows the win wasn’t too impressive. These Eagles just don’t feel dangerous. Right now, they’re only showing flashes of that extra something. The midfield, which stepped up so well in the 2018 finals series, isn’t anywhere near those heights right now. They’re just not doing the damage, and the team’s contested footy numbers are below par. Andrew Gaff, for example, was bizarrely proclaimed by one of the TV commentators as having made a return to footy where he “could not have played any better”. His disposal numbers are high, yes. But per the Official AFL Player Ratings, Gaff has had the second-biggest decline from 2018 to 2019 of any player in the competition, behind only Tom McDonald. Even if you’re not a fan of that ratings system, it would seem folly to argue Gaff is looking better than he did last year, when before his suspension he was judged by many as being in Brownlow-worthy form. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the new FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! The Eagles led all game although they almost allowed St Kilda back into it in the final term thanks to some woeful inaccuracy, with eight straight behinds being tallied by the visitors. Gaff had another 30 disposals, but wasn’t overly damaging with them, while Dom Sheed was more impressive recording 28 touches, six clearances and a goal. In his 150th career game, former Saint and current Eagle Jamie Cripps kicked two goals and had 21 touches. A two-goal, one-minute burst by Josh Kennedy put the game out of reach of St Kilda. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images With Melbourne needing a miracle to get past Gold Coast earlier on Saturday, one would expect the Eagles to still be too good next Friday night. That would mean three wins in a row. After that though come two sides that are suddenly surging, the Adelaide Crows (on the road) and the Aaron Naughton-powered Western Bulldogs (in Perth), before a visit to the SCG to face a Swans side that won both meetings with West Coast in 2018. It’s not going to be a season-defining stretch of games - unless the Eagles lose all of them. But it might be the perfect time to start figuring out what’s going wrong; or, more accurately, what’s not quite right.<doc-sep>Adelaide withstood a serious late scare to claim Showdown victory over Port, while the Eagles were too good for Saints. Earlier, the Dees pulled off a remarkable victory over the Suns while the Pies and Dogs enjoyed wins. Catch up on all the day's action. Crows withstand spirited Power fightback to claim Showdown honours The Crows looked to be coasting, but had a serious late scare. ( AAP: David Mariuz Adelaide attacker Tom Lynch has slotted three goals in a 20-point win against arch foe Port Adelaide which lifts the Crows into the AFL's top four. The Crows held off a fast-finishing Port to triumph 13.10 (88) to 9.14 (68) on a slippery Saturday night at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide led at every change despite losing prime mover Matt Crouch to a groin injury. But from 44 points up in the opening minute of the last quarter, the Crows were given an almighty scare as Port booted five unanswered goals to threaten to steal victory. While Lynch put on Adelaide's attacking polish, the Crows' fourth consecutive victory was built by a supreme defence marshalled by backmen Daniel Talia and Rory Laird (31 disposals). Loading... Fellow defender Alex Keath (26 possessions) was also instrumental in suffocating Port's forwards who mustered just three goals from 50 inside 50s until three quarter-time. Crows winger Rory Atkins (21 disposals) was prominent while onballers Brad Crouch (30 touches), Rory Sloane (26 disposals) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen provided the grunt work around the packs. Port, who lost halfback Ryan Burton in the first term to a hamstring injury, were well served by Tom Rockliff, who collected a game-high 41 disposals, Travis Boak (28 possessions) and Sam Powell-Pepper (two goals). But the Power were never in the hunt early — they were goal-less in the opening quarter and trailed by 11 points at quarter-time. Loading... Adelaide outscored the Power four goals to two in the second stanza, with Lynch booting two — the first from a fortunate holding-the-man free, the second from a clever snap from a tight angle. The Crows took a 21-point advantage into halftime and booted with four goals to one in the third term. Adelaide led by 38 points at the last change and when Lynch scored his third goal inside 60 seconds of the final term, his side had a 44-point buffer. Port then staged a belated rally with five goals in a 16-minute scoring spree to sneak within 12 points. But Adelaide's Lynch then sealed the deal with a shrewd pass to his co-captain Taylor Walker (two majors), who goaled to end Port's challenge. Eagles flex some muscle to beat Saints on the road Josh Kennedy had a hot five minutes in the third to turn the game in the Eagles' favour. ( AAP: David Crosling Onballers Dom Sheed, Elliot Yeo and Luke Shuey have spearheaded West Coast's workmanlike three-goal AFL win over St Kilda. Despite the Saints kicking four goals to one in the last quarter, the Eagles held sway to win 12.16 (88) to 10.10 (70) on Saturday night. The reigning premiers remain well off their best, but did what was needed and improved to 5-3 for the season. After winning four of their opening five games, the Saints are mired in a three-match losing streak. Loading... Sheed, Shuey and Yeo were all prolific, while captain Shannon Hurn was solid in defence and small forward Liam Ryan was a constant threat, but sprayed his shots for a 1.4 return. Saints key forward Josh Bruce returned to form with 10 marks, seven of them contested, and a goal. The Eagles kicked the opening two majors and led by eight points at the first break after a goal on the siren from St Kilda's Jade Gresham. When West Coast opening the second term with two quick goals, a long night appeared to loom for the Saints. Loading... But St Kilda impressively worked their way back into the game, kicking the only other two goals before halftime to trail by just seven points. The margin was only six points 12 minutes into the third term, after an excellent snap from Shane Savage and a goal to Dean Kent. But Eagles key forward Josh Kennedy put a dagger through their hearts, kicking the last two goals of the third term after a quiet game. That gave West Coast a five-goal lead at the last change and, while the Saints kicked the first two goals of the final quarter, they were always at long odds of overrunning the Eagles. Demons steal last-second win over stunned Suns The Demons and Suns could hardly be separated until the final seconds of the game. ( AAP: Regi Varghese Melbourne has somehow escaped with a one-point AFL win over Gold Coast with Tom McDonald shanking a behind off the post in the dying seconds of the match. The Demons looked like they were slipping to another defeat when Nick Holman's goal with less than a minute to play put them ahead but a career-first goal for Marty Hore and then McDonald's desperate scramble allowed Melbourne to steal a 8.13 (61) to 9.6 (60) win. The loss was cruel on the Suns, who must have thought they had claimed their fourth win of the season when Holman made the most of a vacant goal square to kick a goal on the run. From the next centre bounce the ball found its way to Hore, who coolly slotted with his left foot from 50-metres to level the scores. The Demons again got the ball from the middle and charged inside the Suns' 50 as the clock ticked down. Loading... Eventually it broke to McDonald, who failed to make a clean connection on the bouncing ball but did enough to divert it on to the post before the final siren sounded. McDonald was the leading goal scorer in a scrappy affair, booting three majors while Holman and Ben Ainsworth had two each for the Suns. Clayton Oliver was the busiest player on the ground with 38 disposals and 15 tackles while Jake Melksham had 11 marks. David Swallow picked up 35 disposals for the Suns, with Darcy McPherson (27 disposals, eight tackles) also impressive. Loading... Defender Michael Hibberd suffered a suspected broken collarbone after he and Suns' co-captain Swallow collided heavily contesting the ball late in the second quarter. Jordan Lewis and Melksham also had to receive treatment in the dressing room for ankle knocks but both managed to return to the game. The Suns had injury concerns of their own when Sean Lemmens, in his first game back from an ankle injury, limped out of the game after hurting the same joint at the start of the third term. Victory lifts Melbourne to 3-5, the same record as the Suns, who have now lost four matches on the bounce. The Demons play West Coast in Perth next weekend while the Suns are away to Port Adelaide. Pies finish stronger to break underdog Blues' hearts The Pies were ran mighty close, but held their nerve at the very end. ( AAP: Hamish Blair Carlton's week of soul-searching, scrutiny and off-field drama has ended in heartbreak at the MCG, failing to overcome bitter AFL rivals Collingwood in an agonising 19-point defeat. In one of the most gripping contests of the season, the Blues led by 11 points midway through Saturday afternoon's final term and threatened to pull off a massive upset before the Magpies surged home to claim a 16.10 (106) to 13.9 (87) victory. The result leaves the Blues stranded at the bottom of the ladder with just one win for 2019 and four from their past 40 games. Rising to the occasion in front of 69,289 fans, Carlton came desperately close to delivering what would have been one of its greatest wins under Brendon Bolton. The lead changed 13 times as the Blues, led magnificently by Patrick Cripps and Marc Murphy, went blow for blow with the premiership pacesetters. Loading... With 35 disposals, 13 clearances and a goal, Cripps was enormous in the midfield to reinforce his status as arguably the best player in the AFL. The Blues regained the ascendancy midway through the final term when Mitch McGovern booted a third-straight Carlton goal. But just as they did on Anzac Day against Essendon, the Magpies dug deep and proved too classy when it mattered. Jack Crisp's long-range running goal pared back the lead, Callum Brown's soccer finish put the Pies in front by a point with five minutes left, and majors to Jordan De Goey, Tom Phillips and Will Hoskin-Elliott put the result beyond doubt. Loading... The outcome will be hard to swallow for Carlton supporters but, after a week that had demanded a response, the Blues provided an emphatic one. A listless 58-point defeat to North Melbourne had raised fresh questions about Carlton's rebuild, prompting Collingwood president Eddie McGuire to suggest the Blues should consider replacing Bolton with Hawthorn maestro Alastair Clarkson. McGuire used a radio slot to suggest Blues president Mark LoGiudice should seek out four-time premiership coach Clarkson for breakfast, with a view to luring him to Princes Park. Thankfully for McGuire, the Blues didn't have the last laugh. Ruckman Brodie Grundy (49 hit-outs, 25 disposals, two goals) starred for the Magpies and was instrumental in a final term in which they dominated forward entries. Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom and Tom Phillips were also crucial for the Magpies, who went down a man when Chris Mayne was knocked out in a contest late in the third quarter. Bulldogs beat Lions for second win on the bounce Josh Dunkley was one of the Bulldogs' best in their win over Brisbane. ( AAP: Julian Smith The Western Bulldogs' upswing in AFL form has continued with a hard-fought 16-point win over Brisbane in cold and wet Ballarat. Aaron Naughton didn't reach the heights of his stunning breakout performance against Richmond, but the exciting youngster overcame a quiet first half on Saturday afternoon to boot three goals, with his last major sealing a 13.14 (92) to 11.10 (76) win. Josh Dunkley starred for the Bulldogs with an equal career-high 36 possessions, as Luke Beveridge's men levelled their season ledger at four wins and four losses. Lachie Neale led the way again with 30 disposals for Brisbane, who slipped to a 5-3 record. Loading... The Lions finished two players down after Zac Bailey injured a hamstring in the first quarter and Jarrod Berry suffered a knock to the head in the final term. The Bulldogs suffered a blow before the game when sore lead ruckman Tim English was withdrawn, replaced by defender Fletcher Roberts. Jackson Trengove was switched into the ruck and he was one of his side's better performers, ending with 22 touches and 27 hit-outs. Dogs forward Ed Richards booted two goals in the opening term, but the Lions led by nine points at the first break after Mitch Robinson added two of his own. Loading... Hugh McCluggage, who played his junior footy in the area, stretched the margin to 16 points with a nice snapped goal, but the Lions failed to make the most of their chances when they had the momentum. Eric Hipwood was the villain with his five first-half behinds leaving the door ajar for the Dogs to slam home the last three goals of the second quarter to lead by two points at halftime. Hipwood finally managed to get his radar working to boot the first major of the second half, but the Bulldogs had their tails up and raced to a 21-point lead at three-quarter time after kicking six of seven goals scored either side of halftime. Dayne Zorko bagged two goals in the last quarter as the margin came back to 16 points but the Dogs steadied when Naughton marked strongly and kicked his side's last goal. The Bulldogs will take on Geelong at the Cattery in round nine, with the Lions to host Adelaide at the Gabba. AFL ladder Loading... AAP<doc-sep>
Onballers Dom Sheed, Elliot Yeo and Luke Shuey have spearheaded West Coast’s workmanlike three-goal win over St Kilda. Despite the Saints kicking four goals to one in the last quarter, the Eagles held sway to win 12.16 (88) to 10.10 (70) on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium. The reigning premiers remain well off their best, but did what was needed and improved to 5-3 for the season. After winning four of their opening five games, the Saints are mired in a three- match losing streak. Sheed, Shuey and Yeo were all prolific, while captain Shannon Hurn was solid in defence and small forward Liam Ryan was a constant threat, but sprayed his shots for a 1.4 return. Saints key forward Josh Bruce returned to form with 10 marks, seven of them contested, and a goal. Play Video Jeremy McGovern could come under the MRO microscope for this bump behind the play on Blake Acres. The West Australian Video Jeremy McGovern could come under the MRO microscope for this bump behind the play on Blake Acres. The Eagles kicked the opening two majors and led by eight points at the first break after a goal on the siren from St Kilda’s Jade Gresham. When West Coast opening the second term with two quick goals, a long night appeared to loom for the Saints. But St Kilda impressively worked their way back into the game, kicking the only other two goals before halftime to trail by just seven points. Camera Icon Liam Duggan flies high for a mark. Credit: Getty Images Saints fans were raging about the 7-3 free-kick count, with a string of calls going against their team. The margin was only six points 12 minutes into the third term, after an excellent snap from Shane Savage and a goal to Dean Kent. But Eagles key forward Josh Kennedy put a dagger through their hearts, kicking the last two goals of the third term after a quiet game. That gave West Coast a five-goal lead at the last change and, while the Saints kicked the first two goals of the final quarter, they were always at long odds of overrunning the Eagles.