AFL Live Updates: West Coast Eagles hunt first win against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium
AFL: West Coast’s clash with North Melbourne has been labelled winnable, but they will need to be sharp after the Kangaroos touched up Port last week.
Liam Baker, Harry Edwards and Tim Kelly all return for the Eagles’ home opener while Willem and Zane Duursma will meet for the first time as AFL rivals.
The last eight games between these two teams have been decided by 15 points or less and the battle of the rebuilds promises a good contest again today.
Follow all the action with our live blog.
Game on!
A 50-metre penalty hands McDonald a look at goals and the Roos defender nails it.
Reid gave away the 50 after not hearing the umpire call holding the ball on Waterman.
WCE 98, NM 73
Melee
Comben drops Reid after Yeo slots a goal after the siren and it’s one for young and old!
Eagles come from everywhere to defend their young bull and even the bench players get into it.
The Comben hit on Reid was high and dirty and will be looked at.
3QT: West Coast 97, North Melbourne 67
The Eagles find themselves in new territory, leading and being on top of the contest with only a quarter to play.
Kelly had a strong third term as Reid leads West Coast’s ball winners.
Robertson has provided some much-needed toughness around the ball and it’s helping the home side to no end.
North are still dangerous when they get first touch but the Eagles have been tackling well.
The Eagles can taste a win and look desperate to get there, but this is where they fell in almost every strong performance last campaign.
Can they sustain it for another quarter?
Ridiculous
Flynn has just dummied two defenders after recieving a handball and snapped a goal.
The players and fans were in disbelief.
It’s been a tough day for the big man but that was huge!
WCE 91, NM 67
Booooo
Darling in his first game against West Coast at Optus Stadium cops the boos - harshly - from the Eagles faithful.
His kick doesn’t make the distance but Curtis pops up for a sinful uncontested mark and boots a goal.
WCE 79, NM 67
7-point play
North peg one back but the Eagles answer to keep a handy lead.
Waterman doesn’t have his radar in check after missing a simple set shot but West Coast get the turnover from the kick-in and a quick handball from Murdock unleashes Duursma who nails the goal.
WCE 79, NM 61
YEOOOO
CDT has another goal assist after picking the ball up off his shoe laces and feeding the veteran Yeo.
They botched the run forward three times but for once had the numbers to recover.
Yeo was running away from goal but bowed it through perfectly for his first.
WCE 72, NM 55
In front!
There’s no review this time and Cripps kicks goal No.3 to give the home side the lead for the first time since the opening major of the game.
CDT made a great pick up and handball to release him and score a goal assist.
The fans are up.
WCE 60, NM 55
CDT x2
Duff-Tytler has his second with a strong pack mark.
Comben gets his hands on it but the young Eagle pulls it down and controls the mark, at least according to the umpire.
He makes no mistake with the set shot and the youngster’s fan base is growing.
WCE 54, NM 55
HT: West Coast 48, North Melbourne 55
West Coast own the second quarter but a late goal out the back to Larkey gives the Roos a small break.
McQualter will be very happy with the response in that term with his side owning the inside 50s and winning the contest.
Reid has 16 disposals for the Eagles and Hamish Davis is next-best with 16.
However, Sheezal is getting leather poisoning with 27 and six clearances.
The Roos took over the clearance battle but were pressurized into turnovers that fueld the home side’s majors.
Tylar Young also returned to the field for West Coast after rolling his ankle.
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