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  • Writer's pictureSportFM

Kennedy hurt in Eagles win over Hawks



West Coast will sweat on an apparent calf injury to spearhead Josh Kennedy after their 38 point win over Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.


Kennedy was substituted out of the game in the last quarter with ice applied to his left calf, taking some of the gloss off the Eagles first road win of the season over a lacklustre Hawks outfit 14.14 (98) to 8.12 (60) in front of just 15,277 fans.


The first quarter was a dreary affair in perfect conditions for football, neither side able to score a goal as West Coast registered five behinds to Hawthorn's three.


The game eventually sprung to life in the second term, Brendon Ah Chee with the first goal of the match at the four minute mark before slotting another a minute later.


It was the start of a seven goal term for Adam Simpson's men that put a gap between them and their opponents, ground that Hawthorn would never make up in the contest.


The Eagles midfield led by Andrew Gaff (38 disposals), Dom Sheed (35) and Jack Redden (31) found plenty of the ball to give a potent forward line enough supply to kick a winning score, also able to capitalise on several skill errors from a sloppy Hawks back six.


Brad Shepperd was a pillar of strength as part of an undermanned Eagles backline, hauling in 12 marks to go with his 27 disposals while Alex Witherden (22 disposals) and Josh Rotham played terrific games.


Hawthorn was hampered pre-game by the late withdrawal of premiership forward Jack Gunston, ruled out with a back injury that left them short on experience up forward with youngsters Emmerson Jeka, Mitchell Lewis and Jacob Koschitzke unable to have an impact in his absence.


The margin hovered around five goals for most of the second half before West Coast pushed away in the last quarter, Ah Chee's fourth goal pushing the margin to 43 points.


Kennedy left the field in the final minutes of the match and was ruled out of the remainder of the contest, coach Adam Simpson playing down fears of a serious injury post game.


"I think he had it from quarter time onwards, it doesn’t look too bad," he said.


Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said his side was unable to match it with the Eagles across all facets of the match.


"They're a quality side who are able to play to a system really effectively," he said.


"They were able to control the airways and we simply couldn't get it into our forward 50 enough.


The Eagles return home to play Adelaide next Sunday at Optus Stadium in round nine, while Hawthorn host the winless North Melbourne at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.


IMAGE: Perth Now.

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