The West Coast Eagles' AFLW finals aspirations have been dealt what appears to be a fatal blow after suffering a crushing 27-point defeat against Carlton Blues at IKON Park on Sunday.
Season on the Line Ends in Disappointment
In what was essentially an elimination final for both teams, the Eagles failed to rise to the occasion, going down 6.5 (41) to 2.2 (14). The loss leaves West Coast languishing in 14th position on the ladder with just two rounds remaining, making their path to finals nearly impossible.
Early Dominance Fades Away
The match started promisingly for the visitors, with the Eagles controlling possession and territory in the opening quarter. However, their inability to convert opportunities into scoreboard pressure would prove costly. Despite having more inside 50s, West Coast could only manage one goal from their early dominance.
'We had our chances,' lamented Eagles coach Michael Prior in the post-match press conference. 'The first quarter set us up beautifully, but we just couldn't capitalise. That's been the story of our season.'
Carlton's Second Quarter Blitz
The game turned dramatically in the second term when Carlton unleashed a four-goal burst that left the Eagles reeling. The Blues' midfield took control, winning clearances and dominating contested possessions while West Coast's defence struggled to contain Carlton's forward line.
Individual Efforts Not Enough
Despite the disappointing team performance, several Eagles players stood tall. Ella Roberts continued her impressive season with another strong performance, while Aisling McCarthy battled hard in the midfield against Carlton's experienced on-ball division.
Mathematical Miracle Required
With only two rounds remaining, West Coast now faces the grim reality that their finals dream is all but over. The Eagles would need to win both remaining matches and rely on multiple other results going their way to have any chance of sneaking into the top eight.
The defeat marks another challenging chapter in West Coast's AFLW journey, leaving the team and their supporters to ponder what might have been in a season that promised so much but ultimately delivered more heartbreak.
