The Eagles have strung together two wins in a row for the first time since 2021 after a miraculous comeback victory over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval yesterday.
An early start for West Coast’s body clocks saw them slow to get moving, but a goal from the 50m arm kicked by Jake Waterman on the half time siren brought them back within eight points to set them up for a strong second half.
Their young midfield duo in Willem Duursma and Harley Reid took the game by storm once again, both having scoreboard impact kicking one and two goals respectively, and spending ample time around the contest.
Decision making with draft picks over their drought years has paid off, with the Eagles’ new-look side now showing glimpses of the Magnificent Seven.
SportFM spoke to West Coast dual premiership player Chris Waterman this morning.
“They’ve nailed the draft you would think so far,” he said.
“Reuben Ginbey’s just an absolute warrior and, as much as he was under the pump early, he just keeps fighting and fighting. He’s certainly a Worsfold type, Reuben. He gives everything he’s got.
“Harley Reid, then you throw in Baker and Graham and Dev Robertson, which are some big bodies – something they really needed – they’ve really nailed it so far. There’s still some holes to fill but as long as you know you’ve got a team that’s competitive, it becomes a lot easier.”
Their draft history holds bragging rights to two number one draft picks – Reid and Duursma – as well as Cooper Duff Tyler picked at number four last year, and Ginbey picked at number nine in 2022.
The rebuild has now started to produce some results for Eagles fans, giving them a lot to look forward to this year and for the years to come.
“There’s just a huge growing of confidence to start believing in each other. I mean, you’re now running out the next few weeks alongside Willem Duursma and Duff Tyler and these types of blokes.”
“Harley’s gone to a new level, young Lindsay and the likes, Bo Allen’s been the real big surprise and he’s come on in leaps and bounds. You start to believe in these blokes, you start playing yourself with a lot more confidence and expecting these guys to continue to keep doing what they’ve done so far.”
The elation of yesterday was dampened with Elliot Yeo spending the second half of the match on the sidelines with a groin issue.
Coach Andrew McQualter isn’t too concerned about the severity of the injury, but they are hoping to have Yeo back into the side soon to continue their hot streak.
The Eagles now head back to Perth to prepare for their clash with Sydney on Saturday before heading to Adelaide for Gather Round the following week.
IMAGE: West Coast Eagles