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Eagles maintain hold on Pies

April 6, 2019 10:50 pm in by

IT hasn’t taken a last-ditch Dom Sheed goal this time, but West Coast have come out on top against Collingwood at the MCG again, scoring a 22-point win in their first meeting since the AFL grand final.

As they did in last year’s premiership decider, the Pies started well but clinical West Coast took the lead in the second quarter and weren’t headed in a 15.8 (98) to 11.10 (76) victory on Saturday night in front of 60,878 fans.

In his first game back from a lengthy suspension that kept him from the Eagles’ premiership side, Andrew Gaff was superb with 35 possessions, while Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey had 24 disposals and was no less influential.

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For daring to kick the winning goal in a grand final against Collingwood, Sheed was roundly booed every time he went near the ball, which was often as he gathered 24 touches and booted three goals.

Jamie Cripps led all scorers with four goals, while Josh Kennedy booted three after an absorbing battle with Darcy Moore.

Brodie Grundy was outstanding for the Pies with 40 hit-outs and 22 disposals. Dayne Beams and Taylor Adams each had 26 possessions.

Jordan De Goey booted two early goals to help the Pies to an 11-point lead at quarter-time, but the Eagles’ midfielders were able to get on top at the contest in the second quarter.

Shuey and Gaff led the charge and Cripps gave his side the lead for the first time with his opening goal of the night 15 minutes in.

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Cripps extended the lead following a 50m penalty, awarded after a contentious contact below-the-knees free kick paid against Tom Phillips.

But Adam Treloar capped two Collingwood counter-punches with a pair of majors to slash the deficit to nine points at halftime.

West Coast controlled the tempo for much of the third term, denying the Pies the ball as they eked out a 20-point lead at three-quarter time.

Josh Thomas kicked the first goal of the final term, but Jack Darling goaled from close range after a piece of brilliance from Liam Ryan to tap a ball that was headed for a behind back into play.

The Pies had a pulse when De Goey kicked his third late, but Kennedy hit back soon after to ensure the Eagles prevailed again.

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© AAP 2019

WEST COAST 1.2 7.6 10.8 15.8 (98)

COLLINGWOOD 3.1 6.3 7.6 11.10 (76)

Goals: West Coast: J Cripps 4 D Sheed 3 J Kennedy 3 J Darling J Petruccelle L Ryan O Allen T Hickey. Collingwood: J de Goey 3 A Treloar 2 B Mihocek D Beams J Elliott J Thomas M Cox S Sidebottom.

Best: West Coast: A Gaff L Shuey D Sheed J Cripps S Hurn L Jetta. Collingwood: B Grundy D Beams S Sidebottom T Adams A Treloar B Maynard.

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Umpires: Simon Meredith, Robert Findlay, Craig Fleer.

Official Crowd: 60,878 at MCG.

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