A Historic Game for West Coast
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter expressed optimism about the future of his team after a challenging but valuable match against Collingwood. The game, held at the MCG, was a significant milestone for the Eagles, as it marked the first time nine of their players experienced the iconic stadium.
The crowd of 90,028 fans made it the largest home-and-away attendance in club history. Despite the loss, McQualter saw the game as an opportunity for growth. “You can’t replicate that game anywhere,” he said. “It’s really prelims and grannies you get 90,000 people, so that’s an awesome opportunity for our players.”
A Tough Battle
The Eagles faced a tough challenge, trailing by 29 points midway through the third quarter. However, they showed resilience with a strong performance from Nick Daicos and Jamie Elliott, who scored three goals in four minutes. This effort brought the Eagles within three points of Collingwood, nearly spoiling Scott Pendlebury’s special day.
McQualter highlighted the importance of the team’s ability to stay composed under pressure. “It’s about building evidence that no matter the situation we can stand up and play our style of football,” he said. “Definitely, Collingwood had momentum at different stages and that’s what good teams do. But when they did start to pile on goals I thought we were able to arrest that momentum pretty well.”
Milestones and Memories
Pendlebury made history by breaking Brent Harvey’s all-time games played record in his 433rd appearance. However, he wasn’t the only player celebrating a milestone. Eagle’s young talent, Harley Reid, marked his 50th game with a memorable moment against Pendlebury.
Reid showcased his skills with a stiff-arm tackle, which left him excited and proud. “He ran to the bench and said, ‘Did you see me? Did you see me?’ He was pretty happy with that,” McQualter said. “It’s just what he does. He’s a competitor and he had a good moment there.”
Reid’s performance was impressive, with 20 disposals and four clearances. McQualter praised the 2023 No.1 draft pick for handling the pressure well. “He’s probably had more scrutiny than anyone in his first 50 games, just with the publicity that comes with being Harley, but I just think he’s handled it so well,” he said. “He’s a leader in our football team, he’s a barometer for our team, I’m proud of the way he goes about his football and the person he’s becoming.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Eagles remain focused on their upcoming matches. With a 3-8 record, they are currently 15th on the ladder. Their next game will be a home clash against Essendon, the last-placed team. McQualter is confident that the experience gained from this game will help the team improve in the coming weeks.
The game provided valuable lessons and moments that the players will carry forward. As the Eagles continue their journey, the support from fans and the experience of playing at the MCG will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their development.
