A Disappointing Performance and Reflections from West Coast
West Coast co-captain Liam Baker has not held back in his criticism of the team’s performance in their recent match against Sydney, calling it “pathetic” and placing much of the blame on the club’s on-field leaders. The Eagles suffered one of their worst losses in history, falling by 128 points in a game that took place in Perth on Saturday night. This defeat marked the fifth-largest loss in the club’s history, a shocking result given that West Coast had come off two inspiring comeback wins against North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.
The manner in which the team collapsed against Sydney brought back painful memories of their disastrous 2023 season, when they lost five games by more than 100 points. For Baker, the loss was particularly hard to swallow. “It was a tough pill to swallow. Pretty pathetic effort from us, really,” he said in an interview with AAP.
He explained that Sydney were sharp from the first bounce, and West Coast simply couldn’t match their intensity. “They just outworked us and they were stronger and tougher and a better team, and they’re one of the benchmarks in the comp, so not good enough from us.”
Challenges Faced by the Young Team
West Coast currently have the youngest and least experienced list in the AFL, making them particularly vulnerable in high-pressure matches. The absence of key midfielders Elliot Yeo (groin injury) and Deven Robertson (suspended) only added to their difficulties. This left the team without two of their most reliable players, allowing Sydney to focus on containing Harley Reid, who was held to just 17 disposals and one clearance by Swans tagger James Jordon.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter acknowledged that the team needs to do more to support Reid in breaking through tight tags. With the youngest players on the field, Baker emphasized that the leadership group failed to step up when it mattered most.
“It’s us leaders, we didn’t really stand up,” Baker said. “So I feel for those young blokes. There’s only so much they can do at times. They’ve been amazing the last few weeks, and then if that bit of a base around them from the leadership group and some senior players isn’t there, then it’s tough for them.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, there are signs of hope for the future. Elliot Yeo is uncertain to return for the upcoming Gather Round clash with Geelong at Norwood Oval, but Deven Robertson will be back from suspension, and Elijah Hewett is also a possibility to join him. Meanwhile, Matt Flynn has struggled in the ruck this season, leading to growing calls for the more athletic Bailey Williams to take his place this week.
As the Eagles look to regroup and rebuild, the lessons from their recent loss will be crucial. With a young team and challenges ahead, the leadership group must rise to the occasion to support the next generation of talent.
