Jeremy Howe takes a screamer over Andrew Embley
The much-vaunted West Coast forward line had failed to make a real impression in the first two rounds against Fremantle and Hawthorn, but that all changed against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday. They finally rose to the occasion and showed why many had suggested West Coast could win the 2013 flag. Josh Kennedy was sensational with five goals, while Jack Darling (five), Mark LeCras (three), Dean Cox (three) and Callum Sinclair (two) also chimed in for the Eagles. It was a performance that would have worried other flag fancies, as the Eagles' final score of 177 showed how much firepower they actually possess.
2. Melbourne's response, of sorts
After last week's demoralising 148-point loss to Essendon and the mid-week resignation of Cameron Schwab, Melbourne fans expected its club to respond in suitable fashion. The Demons brought passion and effort, which translated in to an intensity not seen from the club this season. Melbourne led the Eagles in disposals (173-171) and contested possessions (82-74) and already had a better score to half-time (56) than their full-time effort against the Bombers last week (36). And then Demons fans were given their weekly uplifting moment from high-flying Jeremy Howe, taking a sensational mark even by his own lofty standards as he ran with the flight of the ball and jumped blindly onto Andrew Embley's shoulders. But that excitement faded after the major break, as West Coast split the game open with 11 goals to one in a dominant third term and eventually went on to win by 94 points.
3. Wailing Waters
Eagles defender Beau Waters was a late, late, late, late, late omission for West Coast after injuring himself in the final warm up. Waters was replaced by emergency, Jacob Brennan, while Jamie Cripps remained as the substitute. It later emerged that Waters had injured his calf in the warm-up. The 2012 All-Australian's toughness and rebound was felt early, as Colin Sylvia - his would-be opponent - kicked two first-quarter goals for the Demons. Depending on the severity of the injury, Waters might be looking at up to 2-3 weeks on the sidelines.
4. Watts up, Jack?
When Jack Watts was dropped during the week it was assumed he would go back to VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions and find some touch. But when Watts arrived at the MCG on Saturday, there were suggestions he might have won a reprieve. It emerged before the game the Demons had held over all three emergencies - Watts, Rodan and Spencer - just in case there was an injury in the warm-up. So when there were no late changes, Jack Watts was not in Ballarat playing for the Scorpions, but instead sitting in the MCG stands. You do have to wonder, though, whether he was onstand-by for a Demons player under an injury cloud.
5. Bail-out, then back on
After a club-enforced eight-week lay off due to multiple head-knocks sustained in the pre-season, Rohan Bail was finally cleared to return to senior football against West Coast. Bail also sat out four weeks with concussion-like symptoms in 2012. So after another head-knock against the Eagles, in which he was assessed for concussion-like symptoms, it was a concerning time for Bail and the Demons.Thankfully for Melbourne fans, after serving the allotted 20 minutes on thesidelines, he was back in the game after half-time.
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