West Coast    3.3 |   5.12 |   6.17 |   10.19 (79)
Carlton          2.3  |  4.4  |    8.8  |    10.9 (69) 

A dominant display from ruckman Nic Naitanui was the key in a ten point victory for the West Coast Eagles over Carlton at Patersons Stadium last nighth. The young Eagle picked up 25 disposals as well as making 31 hitouts to truly be the difference-maker in a wet contest.

Naitanui’s performance gave West Coast the edge in midfield over the Blues, who were unusually carrying champion midfielder Chris Judd as he was completely outclassed by Scott Selwood. Judd only managed 12 disposals, but his frustration was exemplified by conceding three free kicks as well as a costly 50m penalty.

West Coast converted their dominance to a win. Image courtesy Flickr user Michael_Spencer.

The unusual lack of form by Judd was more than made up for by the returning Andrew Carrazzo and Heath Scotland, who both had strong games. In particular, Scotland was involved in the Blues’ comeback in the third term, with his pressure on the Eagles’ forcing West Coast into mistakes. Carrazzo, too, piled on the pressure, racking up ten tackles as well as his 28 disposals.

However, the pressure would have been for nothing had West Coast kicked accurately during the second term. West Coast had 11 scoring shots in the second term for a return of only two goals, and went into the half-time break 14 points ahead when a five-goal lead could certainly have been in place. Carlton used their luck to kick their way back in front, leading by three points at the final change due to both their pressure and finding space of their own to work with.

West Coast’s goalkicking yips dried up in the final term. Jack Darling kicked two to finish with three goals, with the Eagles taking back the lead and getting out to 22 points in front before Carlton came back with a couple of goals in the last two minutes.

Votes
3) N. Naitanui
2) S. Selwood
1) A. Carrazzo

GOALS
West Coast: Darling 3, Cox 2, Lynch, Kerr, Schofield, Hams, Brennan
Carlton: Kreuzer 2, Henderson 2, Walker, Garlett, Armfield, Tuohy, Simpson, Collins

BEST 
West Coast: Naitanui, S.Selwood, Priddis, Glass, Darling, Kerr
Carlton: Carrazzo, Scotland, Duigan, Kreuzer, Robinson, Gibbs

INJURIES 
West Coast: Butler (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Swift, Schofield (hamstring)
Carlton: Hampson (back) replaced in selected side by Joseph

SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Tom Swift replaced Quinten Lynch in the third quarter
Carlton: Andrew Collins replaced Chris Yarran in the final quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Margetts, Rosebury, Farmer

Crowd: 34,224 at Paterson’s Stadium