Star draftee Harley Reid and gun veteran Elliot Yeo have inspired struggling West Coast to their first win of the AFL season, downing Richmond by 39 points.
Yeo (27 disposals, two goals) was back to his All-Australian best and Jake Waterman kicked a career-high six majors as the hosts delivered their strongest first half since 2021 on the way to a 16.13 (109) to 10.10 (70) victory at Optus Stadium.
The Eagles looked potentially in for another grim afternoon when they conceded the first four goals, but they dominated thereafter to claim just their sixth win in 54 games.
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“For the first time in a while, it looks like West Coast are looking for a bit of blood here. They haven’t been in this position for a while,” Eagles premiership player Will Schofield said on commentary during the last quarter.
No.1 draft pick Reid gathered 27 disposals — including 13 touches and four clearances in the third term alone — and had the 47,665-strong crowd swooning with repeated bursts out of traffic and a superb roving goal.
The powerful 18-year-old is shaping as a generational talent and will give the Eagles faithful hope of fast-tracking what has been a painful rebuild.
Fellow youngsters Reuben Ginbey and Campbell Chesser also impressed while Waterman was immense up forward with eight contested marks.
Already without Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Dion Prestia, Noah Balta, Dylan Grimes and Tom Lynch, the Tigers suffered another injury blow when Jayden Short was substituted in the second quarter with a calf concern.
Adam Yze’s side had started brightly with hometown star Shai Bolton capitalising on excellent team pressure and spread to snare two first-quarter majors.
But Yeo and Tim Kelly (29 disposals) lifted their intensity in the middle and the Eagles began to dominate the stoppages.
The hosts led by 19 points at the main break and their score of 11.2 (68) was their best for an opening half since round 7, 2021.
Bolton and Liam Baker (25 disposals) fought hard for the Tigers but veteran Dustin Martin had little influence playing mostly forward.
A possible match-up between Martin and the similarly bullocking Reid had been hotly anticipated and the young gun gave the Tigers great a taste of his own signature fend-off when the pair crossed paths in the third term.
West Coast’s victory leaves North Melbourne and Hawthorn as the only winless teams after round five.
Youngster Luke Edwards will miss Saturday’s derby against Fremantle under concussion protocols but the Eagles should welcome back premiership players Dom Sheed and Liam Ryan in coming weeks.
Richmond will limp into a Round 6 bye before the Anzac Eve match against Melbourne.
