The West Coast Eagles endured a devastating third-quarter collapse against the Richmond Tigers, resulting in a 49-point loss on March 16, 2024. Defender Reuben Ginbey expressed his frustration, deeming the performance “unacceptable” and emphasized the need for the team to better support young star Harley Reid.
In the first half of the match, Reid showcased his skills with an impressive tally of 20 disposals and six clearances, providing the Eagles with hope for only their second win of the season. However, as the third quarter unfolded, Reid was effectively neutralized by Richmond’s defensive strategy. This shift allowed the Tigers to dominate, scoring eight goals to the Eagles’ solitary one, leading to a final score of Richmond 84, West Coast 35.
The heavy defeat left West Coast at the bottom of the league standings with a dismal 1-17 record. Ginbey highlighted the urgent need for the team to address their performance issues, particularly during critical moments in the game. “That slump in the third quarter, we just can’t accept that as a team. It just kills you,” he stated. He further explained that while the team can manage small momentum shifts, allowing them to escalate into larger deficits is detrimental.
The absence of veteran midfielder Elliot Yeo due to injury has placed an increased burden on Reid, who, despite his young age, has been thrust into a leadership role in the midfield. Ginbey noted that while Reid performed exceptionally well in the first half, he struggled when Richmond implemented a tight tagging strategy. Reid managed to secure only four disposals in the third quarter, although he rebounded with two goals in the final term after being moved to a forward position.
“Harley is a phenomenal player, and he was phenomenal in that first half,” Ginbey commented. He acknowledged the challenges Reid faced when being tagged and stressed the importance of the team coming together to support him. “We’ve got to learn how to help Harles out to keep him in the game, because he’s super important for us. But we can’t just rely on a few. We’ve got to rely on the whole team to step up in times like that.”
Looking ahead, the West Coast Eagles are set to face the Fremantle Dockers in a highly anticipated western derby. The Dockers recently secured a thrilling one-point victory against Collingwood, placing them seventh in the league with a record of 12-6. As West Coast prepares for this challenging encounter, they will need to regroup and address their recent performance to avoid further disappointment.
With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, the Eagles must find a way to turn their season around and provide their supporters with a glimmer of hope as they strive for improvement in the remaining matches.
