NO BOOS by George On The Outer

The reference here is not to drinking, but rather to the sounds of the feral West Coast supporters when on home soil. However, on this sunny April day out West they were barely able to voice their displeasure at any of ths events on Optus Stadium that unfolded before their eyes as they watched the Demons grind their side into the dust to record a 10 goal win.

Sure, Melbourne were not expected to do anything other than record a resounding victory, given the extensive injury list that West Coast had to contend with.  However, it was the methodical and clinical way in which the Demons took apart the challenge of the opposition that impressed.

Right down to the individuals like Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca who struggled to gain ascendancy in the first quarter, but by the end of the game had amassed 34 and 29 disposals respectively.  And relishing his role as the primary ruck, Brodie Grundy simply kept amassing hitouts - 33 of them, but more importantly hitouts to advantage were at an extraordinary 39%!

The forwards in the absence of Ben Brown certainly created more problems for the selection committee next week, with Tom McDonald kicking 4, Bayley Fritsch 3, Jacob van Rooyen and Kysiaiah Pickett 2 each.  One cannot ask for more from a forward line, while Hurn and Barrass are on the field for the Eagles.

The Backs also showed their usual composure to keep West Coast to nine majors, with another gem showing up in the defense in the form of Judd McVee.  In only his fourth game he showed composure far beyond his years that portends a position running long into the future.  At season‘s beginning fans were asking who would coach Simon Goodwin use to replace the injured Christian Salem, and now we know.  Eight intercept possessions and extraordinarily for someone playing in the backline, seven score involvements! That’s a great afternoon to contemplate.

From the coach’s box we saw more trials and experimentation with players being used in uncustomary roles. Trent Rivers as a mid, Harry Petty forward and back, Kozzie Pickett forward and mid and Tom McDonald and Jacob van Rooyen pinch hitting in the ruck. All this creates new  options for use in the future.

But very importantly, this match showed the belief the players have in each other and an unfailing belief in the systems which have been implemented.  This is the character of the highly successful sides of past years.  Even when challenged, they know what they have together will win through.

Even when they face a stadium full of braying opposition supporters, bleating about every decision, trying to influence the umpires, it is that belief which enables them to concentrate on the task at hand and block out the superfluous noise.

Just leave the boos to turned into booze for the fans, as they pop the champagne corks to celebrate yet another Demon victory.

MELBOURNE 5.1.31 8.4.52 14.9.93 19.12.126

WEST COAST EAGLES 2.2.14 4.4.28 6.8.44 9.9.63

GOALS

MELBOURNE  McDonald 4 Petracca Fritsch 3 Pickett Spargo van Rooyen 2 Chandler Neal-Bullen Viney

WEST COAST EAGLES Allen 3 Kelly 2 Hunt Long Petrevski-Seton West

BEST

MELBOURNE Oliver Petracca Grundy Viney McDonald Rivers May

WEST COAST EAGLES Kelly Allen Hunt Yeo Duggan Jones

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Hibberd (Achilles) Lever (ankle)

WEST COAST EAGLES Nil

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

WEST COAST EAGLES Nil

SUBSTITUTIONS

MELBOURNE James Jordon (replaced Michael Hibberd in the fourth quarter)

WEST COAST EAGLES Josh Rotham (replaced Elliot Yeo in the fourth quarter)

UMPIRES Daniel Johanson Matt Stevic Tom Bryce Eleni Tee

CROWD 42,458 at Optus Stadium