West Coast Eagles heartbroken to lose Jai Culley to long-term ACL injury, need more from Jack Darling

It ended with a 46-point defeat and another significant injury – a season-ending ACL rupture for Jai Culley.

Here is West Coast’s report card for round eight.

Distinctions

Oscar Allen: Having a really strong season after coming back from a serious foot injury. He brings a lot of the traits that Josh Kennedy gave the Eagles. Always provides an option, always gives a good contest and rarely misses a shot on goal. He had 15 disposals, took seven marks including two strong clunks in contests. He kicked four goals and his only “miss” – if you could call it that – was a slightly mis-hit long set shot from out on the fifty metre arc. If the Eagles can actually give him good supply at some point he is going to be a major worry for opposition defences.

Liam Duggan: Had a strong first quarter when West Coast had the better of a sluggish Richmond. He finished that term with 10 disposals including four intercept possessions. Spent some time in the midfield and the Eagles should look to do more of that because it will give them size and experience around the ball. Had two clearances and after his first quarter played strongly over the next three terms to finish with 27 disposals. He is having a solid, steady season after some injury interruptions over the past two years.

Passes

Tim Kelly: Another good game through the Eagles midfield. He has played in better teams, obviously, but has rarely if ever had a more consistent season. He got dangerous a number of times and hit up teammates inside attacking fifty which is one area of his game he has room for improvement in. He won 19 of his 29 disposals in contests and had nine clearances. Would be a comfortable leader in the club’s best and fairest at this point.

Dom Sheed: Darth Vader, as coach Adam Simpson dubbed him because of the way his voice sounded after a throat injury suffered at training, gave the Eagles another mature body and brain around stoppages. He also combined well with Kelly to give the Eagles a plus-eight edge in clearances. Like Kelly, he finished with 29 disposals, ran out the game strongly and he also had nine clearances. A good return and the midfield looked stronger and deeper.

Tom Barrass: Had endured a frustrating night against Carlton in round seven when Harry McKay basically shifted him out of the way to allow Charlie Curnow to run riot on smaller opponents. He was strong in the contest against Richmond – mainly opposed to Jack Riewoldt and while Riewoldt won a few touches as the Tigers got on top he was kept scoreless. Barrass took four marks including two in contests.

Fails

West Coast’s luck: The lights at the end of the tunnel really are oncoming trains at the moment for Adam Simpson. He was seen shaking his head in disbelief in the coaches box when Jai Culley went down. It’s wretched luck for Culley, a season-ending ruptured ACL, which his quarter time tears appeared to confirm well before the scans were in. He is a youngster who has worked hard to get a toe hold in AFL footy and hopefully he makes it back as soon as possible.

Jack Darling: The supply isn’t great but it means he has to make the most of the chances he gets. At the moment, that isn’t happening. He had just four disposals against Richmond and he touched the ball only twice after quarter time with a handful of errors. On paper, the Eagles have threatening tall targets in attack but they need Darling to step up in support of Allen.

More Coverage

Analysis: Week of worry ahead after defeat, Culley injury

Mark Duffield

The focus this week

The midfield will get a stern test against Gold Coast in a Friday night clash at Optus Stadium. The Suns were great around stoppages against Melbourne’s raw power on Saturday night and were unlucky not to get the win. They will be keen to progress their season.

West Coast aren’t going to win many at the moment but they need to narrow the gap between their best and worst. Brady Hough, Campbell Chesser and Noah Long could all be close to returns.