West Coast Eagles Stage Epic Comeback to Secure First WAFL Win of 2026 Season
In a stunning display of resilience, the West Coast Eagles have broken through for their inaugural victory of the 2026 WAFL season, delivering a fast-finishing performance to down West Perth by 15 points. The Eagles overturned a significant deficit, which stood at 35 points approaching time-on in the third term, by kicking nine of the day's final 10 goals. This remarkable surge propelled them to a 17.5 (107) to 12.20 (92) triumph on a warm afternoon at Mineral Resources Park.
Key Performers Shine in Dramatic Turnaround
The Eagles' comeback was anchored by standout performances from their AFL-listed players, particularly in defence. Veteran Tom Cole led from the front with 27 disposals and five tackles, while Rhett Bazzo asserted himself aerially with 24 disposals and 12 marks. On the opposing side, former Eagles midfielder Connor West produced a mighty effort for the Falcons, amassing 42 disposals and kicking one goal. His on-ball partner, Kane Bevan, enhanced his candidacy for the mid-season draft with a strong performance of 36 disposals against a midfield comprised of AFL-listed players.
West Perth's Inaccuracy Proves Costly
West Perth will be left to rue a defeat in which they were often their own worst enemy, with inaccurate kicking in front of goal proving decisive. Despite having twice as many scoring shots as the Eagles in the first half, the Falcons took only a 10-point advantage into the main break. Harvey Johnston struck first for West Coast just 24 seconds after the opening siren, and his side managed to take an eight-point lead into the first break through three goals kicked during time-on, despite the dominance of the visitors in general play.
Jack Demarte's classy snap inside the opening minute of the second term did not signal an end to his side's accuracy woes, as the Falcons' next five shots only resulted in minor scores. Although West Perth found their kicking boots in the third term with five unanswered goals, including finishes from Keitel and Demarte from acute angles, their inability to capitalise on late chances ultimately sealed their fate.
Eagles' Aggressive Play Seals Victory
Facing down their deficit, the Eagles became more daring and aggressive with their ball movement, rewarded with their own five-goal run to cut the gap inside one straight kick at the last break. After West Perth again failed to capitalise on a succession of late chances, one of West Coast's first inside-50 entries of the final term resulted in Caleb Datson's second goal of the day. Tom Gross then swooped from a stoppage to slot another, giving the Eagles their first lead of the second half.
Late in the piece, a 50-metre penalty walked Thomas Edwards-Baldwin to within range, and he made no mistake before Jack Williams' fourth goal of the day proved the sealer. Williams was among the best for West Coast, alongside Cole, Bazzo, M. Champion, and S. Kernutt, while West, Bevan, Keitel, Demarte, and D. Dixon stood out for West Perth.
Scoreboard and Match Details
WEST COAST: 5.2, 6.4, 12.5, 17.5 (107)
WEST PERTH: 3.8, 6.14, 11.16, 12.20 (92)
Goals - WEST COAST: J Williams 4, M Champion 2, C Datson 2, S Kernutt 2, H Johnston, T Gross, H Barnett, T Williams, A Watt, T Edwards-Baldwin, S Lucassen.
Goals - WEST PERTH: T Keitel 4, J DeMarte 2, D Dixon 2, K Knott, J Hinder, C Livingstone, C West.
Best - WEST COAST: J Williams, T Cole, R Bazzo, M Champion, S Kernutt.
Best - WEST PERTH: C West, K Bevan, T Keitel, J Demarte, D Dixon.
Umpires: O Wharton, R Shelton, N Bevan, J Wedgwood. Crowd: About 1250 at Mineral Resources Park.
