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.
Steadier
When the Eagles needed it most, Waterman stands up and gets his first.
The kick coming in was poor from Duggan but Waterman was in front and got to the drop of the ball.
He slots the set shot and it gives the young Eagles a chance to take a breath and calm down.
On the down side, Cripps has come to the bench to get his shoulder checked.
WCE 104, NM 87
Six!
Larkey beats two defenders to take a mark in the pocket and slots his sixth.
Ginbey has been huge but North are getting too many looks forward.
The Eagles thought they had a goal through Waterman but a free kick rubbed it out.
WCE 98, NM 87
Roos press
Larkey missed his first set shot of the season having kicked eight straight across two weeks but given another chance, he reduces the margin to 18 points.
North Melbourne looked good on the repeat entries with smart kicks to their spearhead.
West Coast need a clearance or three.
WCE 98, NM 80
Game on!
A 50-metre penalty hands McDonald a look at goals and the Roos defender nails it.
Reid gave away the 50 kicking the ball forward 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
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