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In his highly-anticipated return to Perth, Junior Rioli gave West Coast followers one thing to recollect him by with a few first-half targets towards his outdated membership.
However the Eagles confirmed they’ve come a good distance from final 12 months’s horror two-win season and may comfortably stand up the ladder if their checklist stays this wholesome.
They prevailed by eight factors at Mineral Sources Park in Friday’s unofficial pre-season conflict towards Port Adelaide, however extra importantly acquired by means of unscathed.
Boos rang out among the many Eagles’ devoted as Rioli, who efficiently requested a commerce to Port Adelaide through the low season which left West Coast “bitterly disillusioned”, strolled in for the best of targets early within the second quarter.
The trimmed-down Eagles premiership goalsneak, who embraced former forward-line teammate Liam Ryan and skipper Luke Shuey amongst others pre-match, was quiet within the opening time period earlier than coming to life with two majors earlier than half-time.
Rioli confirmed he nonetheless had loads of respect at his former membership post-game, sharing in heat embraces with coach Adam Simpson and numerous West Coast gamers.
A 12 months after his – and his workforce’s – season got here crashing down with a severe calf damage within the corresponding follow match towards Fremantle on the identical venue, midfield bull Elliot Yeo confirmed that he’s primed to return to his sensible finest.
The 2-time membership champion began within the guts with stints throughout half-back the place he caught former teammate Rioli holding the ball with a crunching sort out and produced an vital defensive smother near targets.
He additionally gained loads of clearances throughout his bursts within the engine room.
With all-time main goal-kicker Josh Kennedy retired and Jack Darling sidelined with an ankle damage, younger gun Oscar Allen acquired a style of what he future might appear like by main the forward-line.
After not enjoying in any respect final 12 months due to an ankle challenge, Allen confirmed a lot and was an actual presence in assault throughout an entertaining battle with intercept-marking machine Aliir Aliir.
If not for a little bit of rust together with his goal-kicking, the 23-year-old would’ve ended up with a bag as a substitute of two.2 within the first three quarters.
He grew in confidence with two third-quarter targets and appears set for an enormous 12 months.
Defender Tom Cole (ankle), prized 2021 draftee Campbell Chesser (foot) have been a few different welcome sightings after not enjoying in any respect final 12 months, whereas premiership hero Dom Sheed (ankle) additionally made a promising return from his one-game 2022 marketing campaign.
Chesser, who went down in the identical sport as Yeo and Sheed final 12 months, performed three-and-a-bit quarters, mixing his time between the wing and inside midfield, and acquired by means of unscathed earlier than operating laps with defender Liam Duggan on the far oval.
Excessive-flying ahead Liam Ryan had two first-quarter objective assists and supplied his normal X-factor earlier than getting on the scoreboard himself within the second.
Jayden Hunt performed his first sport since becoming a member of as a free agent from Melbourne within the low season and impressed in a break up half-back/wing position.
Hunt supplied the line-breaking velocity West Coast have been missing lately, used it properly by foot and seems a lock for spherical one.
He kicked an excellent objective on the run halfway by means of the ultimate time period to point out his class in entrance of the sticks.
Callum Jamieson and Bailey Williams each acquired the possibility to spearhead the Eagles’ ruck division within the absence of celebrity Nic Naitanui, who was managed due to Achilles soreness.
Williams acquired first crack towards Port’s veteran ruck Scott Lycett, a 2018 Eagles flag winner, however Jamieson most likely had extra of an influence than his teammate as he places his hand as much as associate Naitanui within the season correct.
Captain Luke Shuey was managed however is predicted to return towards Adelaide in subsequent Friday’s follow match at Lathlain after getting by means of a powerful 90-minute session pre-game, whereas Darling stays contact and go to face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on March 18.
Prime draft decide Reuben Ginbey didn’t play due to a minor toe challenge, however his fellow first-round decide from WA Elijah Hewett acquired a style of the engine-room late after sitting out the primary three quarters.
Large-bodied mid Hewett kicked a lovely objective out of congestion within the dying minutes, snapping it on his proper foot at full velocity, amongst just a few good moments from the Swan Districts product.
Defender Harry Edwards, ahead Jake Waterman, midfielder Xavier O’Neill and livewire Jack Petruccelle, who made his return from an ankle damage and kicked an aesthetic objective late, additionally acquired a run after half-time.
Ex-Port skipper Travis Boak got here off second finest after clashing with defender Jeremy McGovern throughout half-back early within the second quarter, requiring the help of two trainers to come back off trying dazed and never returning as he was assessed.
For Port Adelaide, former No.1 decide Jason Horne-Francis was excellent within the midfield and one among his new workforce’s finest after inflicting controversy by leaving North Melbourne after one 12 months.
SCOREBOARD
WEST COAST 2.1, 6.3, 9.3, 13.6 (84)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.5, 6.8, 8.9, 11.10 (76)
GOALS – West Coast: O Allen 2 T Kelly 2 A Gaff J Culley L Ryan G Clark C West J Hunt J Petruccelle E Hewett J Waterman. Port Adelaide: O Fantasia 2 J Rioli 2 S Powell-Pepper 2 J McEntee 2 C Rozee T Marshall D Visentini.
BEST – West Coast: L Ryan E Yeo O Allen J Hunt T Kelly J McGovern D Sheed. Port Adelaide: J Horne-Francis S Powell-Pepper S Lycett C Rozee.
INJURIES – West Coast: Nil. Port Adelaide: T Boak (again).
UMPIRES – J Energy, L Houssen, J Dalgleish, E Tee
CROWD: About 2000 at Mineral Sources Park
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