THE West Coast Eagles have avenged last week’s narrow loss to Geelong, beating the Saints in an absolute nail-biter down at Trevor Barker Oval. In the venue’s debut as an AFLW ground, the game went down to the wire. It was not clear who was going to win until the final siren blew. A few errant kicks into forward 50 from St Kilda that were easily picked off by the Eagles defenders is what ultimately cost them in the end.

TALKING POINTS

West Coast did not make the most of its early dominance

The result did not need to be as close as it ultimately was.

For the majority of the first quarter, the Eagles had the ball in their forward 50 and in general were the more dominant side. The problem for them was that they just weren’t converting on the scoreboard.

In the first quarter they had 13 inside 50s for a score of only four behinds.

The Saints, on the other hand, certainly made the most of their fewer opportunities in the first quarter, kicking one goal from their single inside 50. By the time the Saints finally made it inside forward 50, the Eagles had already registered 10 inside 50s.

A very painful mark of the year attempt from Kate Sheirlaw

Halfway through the third term, Kate Shierlaw went for a spectacular mark over the top of an Eagles opponent, and it would have been mark of the year if she’d actually managed to hold on.

To add injury to insult, Shierlaw also landed very awkwardly and looked in a lot of pain. Thankfully for Saints fans though she was able to get up after a moment and continued playing.

Very congested game

It was a very congested game right through all four quarters, with very few easy possessions for either side. When the Saints managed to get the ball out in the open and were able to get some run and carry, they looked at their most dangerous.

Is this the win that spurs West Coast’s season?

After going so, so close last week, West Coast was able to hang on in an absolute nail-biter this week. This win will give the Eagles a lot of confidence, and time will tell as to whether they can build on it or not.

Is it time to bring back Kate McCarthy?

The Saints veteran was shockingly dropped several weeks ago, and it’s still not clear when she will return.

The Saints could certainly have used her out in the middle on Tuesday night, so it might be time for the Saints to rethink their strategy and bring her back in time for next week’s game.

She would have also been very useful in the forward line tonight, working at the feet of Shierlaw and Caitlin Greiser and could have mopped up any drop marks from particularly Grieser.

NEXT WEEK

St Kilda are at home against an inform Brisbane Lions, while West Coast are up against a Collingwood side who will be determined to end their losing streak.