Live: Saturday night footy

Harley Bennell is out of the Suns' side. Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

LATE CHANGES:
West Coast: Nil
Carlton: Nil
Gold Coast: Harley Bennell (hamstring) out, replaced by Luke Russell
Port Adelaide: Nil

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SUBSTITUTES:
West Coast: Bradd Dalziell
Carlton: Aaron Joseph
Gold Coast: Luke Russell
Port Adelaide: Robbie Gray

GOLD Coast has lost star playmaker Harley Bennell ahead of tonight's clash with Port Adelaide.

The silky midfielder was a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury. Luke Russell took his place and will start as the substitute at Metricon Stadium, while knee victim Robbie Gray will return in the green vest for the Power.

West Coast and Carlton made no late changes ahead of their duel at Patersons Stadium.

Former Lion Bradd Dalziell (Eagles) and Aaron Joseph (Blues) will start in the green vests out west.

Follow tonight's matches with live SuperCoach scores, stats and more at Live HQ

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Gumby ignites Dons against Saints

Scott Gumbleton kicked four goals. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

RAMPAGING Essendon has another dangerous tall target. One they know well but haven't been able to utilise for the past five seasons.

Scott Gumbleton reminded the Bomber faithful of his top 10 draft talents with a solid comeback at Etihad Stadium.

Gumbleton, a late replacement for Stewart Crameri, grabbed his chance to contribute four goals in the 37 points win against a gallant if disjointed St Kilda.

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The 197cm forward, restricted to just 28 AFL games by back and hamstring ailments since being drafted in 2007, made a timely return with Patrick Ryder suspended and fellow forward Michael Hurley hobbling off with an ankle injury in the third quarter.

St Kilda v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, Docklands - April 20th 2013 in Melbourne, Australia . Brendon Goddard Picture: Salpigtidis George Source:

And the in-form Bombers tuned for the Anzac Day clash next Thursday by easing classy midfielder Jason Winderlich back, also for his first appearance this season.

Winderlich, restricted to only two games last season, drew loud applause with his first touch after coming on as the sub to replace the injured Hurley.

The return of Gumbleton and Winderlich underlined Essendon's depth of talent amid the potentially match-turning elite as it dismantled the Saints, almost from the opening bounce.

Bring on Anzac Day expectations, bring on Collingwood ... in fact, bring on anyone. These Bombers are justifiably scared of no-one, no occasion and no foe.

Having big David Hille back also gave Essendon the luxury of letting Tom Bellchambers lurk deep inside the forward 50 to torment defenders with his height, strength and vice-like grip.

Skipper Jobe Watson was equally lethal when he took a breather up forward when he wasn't commanding the onball unit.

Watson's almost fanatical workrate typified the Bombers resolve at every contest, to create with the ball and grimly defend without it.

St Kilda, in contrast, went forward with hope rather than system. Its structures often broke down, as much by their own hand as the Bombers' relentless pressure.

Coach Scott Watters, for instance, will want to know how and why there wasn't a ruckman at three boundary throw-ins in an embarrassing communications breakdown late in the second quarter.

Essendon players seemed to have a healthier appetite for the contest and their better workrate made a mockery of the lethargy tales in the game after the Perth trip.

The Bombers' defensive pressure was first class. And they worried the sluggish Saints with the run and spread after that hard work created a turnover.

And no wonder St Kilda was jumped early in the contest _ Nick Riewoldt had one kick, Ahmed Saad one handball, Terry Milera just two touches and Stevie Milne was leading the way with four possessions on the quarter-time siren.

But for Beau Maister's marking prowess which he converted into two goals, the Saints would've faced an already insurmountable first change deficit.

In Riewoldt's defence, the delivery to him was appalling. Time and again, the skipper presented himself in a dangerous position. Alas, teammates couldn't spot him with the kick inside the forward 50.

That haphazard supply was emphasised in the opening minutes of the second term when Armitage attempted a chip pass from only 20m away and still couldn't hit Riewoldt on the lead. Essendon rebounded around the dockside wing and, in contrast, found Hurley for another goal.

Simply, Essendon had multiple options up forward. A flukey soccer goal from Alwyn Davey and an equally audacious snap shot by Brent Stanton three minutes later allowed the Bombers to skip away midway through the second quarter.

St Kilda v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, Docklands - April 20th 2013 in Melbourne, Australia . Michael Hurley on crutches at 3 quarter time. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source:

Davey, with opponents bearing down, didn't attempt to grab the ball and simply drilled a left foot volley from 40m directly in front. And Stanton's, from the same distance, but deep near the boundary line, was the team-lifting type.

The Saints paid a hefty price for missing targets _ like Saad when he crumbed the ball off a marking contest, ran unchecked to within 25m and speared the shot into the left goalpost late in the second term.

And another Saad miss following that deliberate set shot routine after the half-time siren could prove costly with fines for a bunch of players from both teams. A wild melee involving nearly every player broke out near the entrance to the Bombers' race when Saad took exception to a Bomber sledge.

It summed up the Saints' collective frustration of being powerless to contain their free-scoring and free-running opponents.

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Eddie's first for roar passion

Eddie Maguire and his all-Collingwood commentary team get fired up as the Magpies come from behind to beat Richmond.

Eddie McGuire unleashes a world class tirade on a Richmand fan during his Ed TV call.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire enjoyed calling the Pies game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE Magpies' attack on Richmond was ferocious. They bullied, they were loud and they didn't let up for four quarters.

And that was only in the commentary box. Not even the umpires were safe as Eddie McGuire got his way and didn't disappoint down with his unashamedly biased call of Collingwood's 34-point win against the Tigers.

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Never had a regulation Steele Sidebottom mark received a torrent of adulation like this.

You'd think "Sidey'' had just equalled Leo Barry's feat when he marked unopposed and goaled from 10m in the first quarter, such were the screams of excitement from Fox Footy's all-Magpies commentary team.

>>> VIDEO: Watch the best of Eddie's call in the videos above

And Tiger highlights were met with silence or uninspired descriptions from McGuire and Magpie offsiders Michael Christian and Tony Shaw.

"In the back SURELY, umpire!'' Ed bellowed as the passion began to escalate late in the first quarter.

Richmond players leave the ground after their loss in the AFL Round Four match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG, Melbourne, on Saturday 20th April, 2013. Picture: Dadswell Mark Source:

"Five points down, we'll take that at (quarter-time). We don't want to give up a goal now,'' Ed followed up with, before on cue Jake King nailed a major.

Not oven the Magpies were safe, with the trio grilling Ben Hudson in the second term when he failed to rush a behind, gifting Luke McGuane a ``soft'' goal.

"That's shocking,'' Ed said.

Eddie McGuire unleashes a world class tirade on a Richmand fan during his Ed TV call.

"Hudson's got to smack that through,'' Christian added.

The call, dubbed Channel Ed's Black and White TV, became the Travis Cloke Show after halftime as the spearhead tore the Tigers apart.

"CLLOOOKKEEE!!!'' the callers screamed in unison each time he clunked a big grab.

"Clokey boy! Kicks his fourth for the quarter and the Pies are on fire at the MCG. Come on Pies!'' Ed said later that term.

Travis Cloke of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the AFL Round Four match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG, Melbourne, on Saturday 20th April, 2013. Picture: Dadswell Mark Source:

When the star forward lined up from the Punt Rd pocket in the last, McGuire let loose at fans jeering him over the fence.

"That's as close as you'll get to greatness, ya peanut. Shut up! That's No. 7. Cop that, you Tiger mongrel!"

And the Magpie president had Steve Morris in his sights after the Tiger cleaned up Dane Swan off the ball.

It followed Morris flooring Jamie Elliott off the ball in the first half, and drew this reaction: "He's gone and done that twice now, Morris.''

As the Pies poured on eight consecutive goals in the third, Eddie cheekily remarked: "Welcome to the big time, Tigers!''

Sam Dwyer became Sammy, Cloke became Clokey boy and Scott Pendlebury was officially 'Pendles' on Channel Ed.

Every Dane Swan accolade was noted, we learnt Paul Seedsman's great grandfather once chaired the Pies and there was little love from McGuire for Richmond's favourite sons.

"(Jack) Riewoldt's going berserk, we want to see more of that,'' he said.
 

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Dane's not ready for Swan song

Collingwood star Dane Swan refused to be chaired off after his 200th AFL game. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD players wanted to chair Dane Swan off the ground yesterday to celebrate his 200th game, but the man himself put an end to the suggestion after the club's 34-point win over Richmond.

Magpie defender Alan Toovey revealed Harry O'Brien and Scott Pendlebury motioned to get Swan up on their shoulders after he finished with a game-high 35 touches in his milestone match.

"The boys were keen to do it, Harry and 'Pendles' and a few of the guys, but he (Swan) didn't want any of that," Toovey said. "That's just the way he is. He kind of doesn't want to be the man in the spotlight."

The 29-year-old midfielder admitted before the game that personal milestones or accolades won't mean anything until his career is over - and judging by his form yesterday, that looks like being deep off into the distance.

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"He got a (pre-game) mention (from Nathan Buckley and Ben Johnson, who did not play yesterday), but I don't think it fazed him too much," Toovey said.

"It was good to see him have a win, especially for his 200th. It's a great achievement."

Toovey, who was his usual reliable self in defence, described Collingwood's blistering eight-goal third term as the best quarter the team had played all season.

Part of it came from the dominance of Travis Cloke, who kicked seven goals in all and four for the quarter.

"He (Cloke) didn't drop one today," Toovey said. "I think he enjoyed it. He was getting off the ground, taking good marks. His body work was good and his accuracy has really improved.

"It gives the team a lot of confidence when he is playing well.

"It was a really good team effort, the way we played, especially in the second half. We came in with a plan, we stuck to it and we were able to make it work." Toovey said the Magpies' experience of preparing for Anzac Day games off a short break will stand the team in good stead for Thursday's clash with Essendon.

Travis Cloke of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the AFL Round Four match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG, Melbourne, on Saturday 20th April, 2013. Picture: Dadswell Mark Source:

"It's going to be different to every other game of the year, as we are going to be playing on a Thursday after playing a Saturday game," he said.

"But it is all about recovery now ... it will be different for some of the young guys, and the guys new to the club. But it is a great day and you get up for it no matter what."

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Cloke puts end to Tiger swagger

Collingwood star Travis Cloke demolished the Tigers with seven goals. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

TRAVIS Cloke has always haunted Richmond by dint of the fact that his father David spent more time in yellow and black than in black and white.

But never before has that pain been as up close and personal as it was at the MCG yesterday.

Cloke monstered the club that he rebuffed as a father-son option at the end of the 2004 season, kicking a career-high seven goals to lead Collingwood to a 34-point victory.

Before a crowd of 81,950 - the first over the 80,000-mark between these two sides for 30 years - the 26-year-old power forward took the game by the scruff of the neck with a dominant third term made up of four goals, six disposals and six marks.

By the end of the game, Cloke had 20 disposals and had taken 14 marks (six contested). Richmond had only 70 marks to Collingwood's 127.

Dane's not ready for Swan song

After trailing narrowly at halftime - courtesy of a goal to Ty Vickery just before the main break - the Magpies went on a game-changing rampage, scoring 8.4 to the Tigers' 2.1 in the next 30 minutes.

It was Collingwood's third best third quarter against Richmond in their 200 meetings - and it effectively killed the contest.

Thereafter, the Tigers tempted and teased, and at one stage cut back what was a 49-point margin to 22 early in the last term. But the damage had already been done.

That difference was that third quarter lapse and the sheer brute strength of the man in the No.32 jumper.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick had forecast on Friday that he was tempted to try and use two or three opponents on Cloke, with the possibility of rotating them on him.

It was Alex Rance who was the unlucky first candidate. But Cloke proved too strong for him in almost every one-on-one contest and Hardwick made the call midway through the third quarter to finally give Troy Chaplin a chance.

He didn't last long.

Chris Knights inadvertently cannoned into Chaplin when the Magpie forward dragged down another mark and the Richmond recruit departed with concussion.

That meant Rance was back to trying to quell the unstoppable Cloke.

It was fitting that Cloke's massive left-foot goal - his seventh - quelled what had started to look like a Tiger revival in the final term.

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But it wasn't just Cloke who did all of the damage.

Dane Swan had polled nine Brownlow Medal votes in his past three games against the Tigers and his name would almost certainly have been in the umpires' vote sheet from yesterday, though he will have to settle for either of the two or one votes.

Swan started his 200th AFL game slowly, but his gut-running and sheer will to find the footy saw him streak to 35 disposals - 31 after quarter time.

Steele Sidebottom was outstanding for most of the afternoon.

Once more he seized a big game and influenced it with four goals, including two in the second term when the Magpies were trying to stay in the game after a solid Tiger start.

Harry O'Brien is relishing the chance to cut his way through the corridor - as he did consistently yesterday - and Heath Shaw was back to his best form, providing plenty of run.

In a match that promised so much for Richmond - and delivered for a fair slice of the first hour - the Tigers were overwhelmed when the game was there to be won.

Leading by 11 points at quarter-time after a strong start, the difference was back to three points at the half.

Part of the reason for Richmond's strong start was a good opening quarter by Dustin Martin.

He had 10 disposals in the first term, but only seven more for the rest of the game.

Jack Riewoldt kicked the first goal of the game, but a lack of opportunities and some good defence from Ben Reid meant he could finish with only three goals.

This match was always going to tell us more about the Tigers than the Magpies - and it showed that while improvements have been made, they still have plenty of work to do.

But Collingwood - with arguably the most dominant forward in the game at the moment and a host of stars out injured - gave us a not-so-gentle reminder that it will once more run very deep into the business end of the season.

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Hawks pound Dockers in Tassie

Buddy Franklin was all smiles as the Hawks won by seven goals. Picture: Tim Carrafa

IT WAS games like this that led Ross Lyon to coin the phrase: "We're just happy to bank the four points."

Yesterday at a cold, overcast and poorly-attended Aurora Stadium, it was Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson who uttered the same words after Hawthorn rolled Fremantle.

There has been, and will continue to be, Hawthorn wins that attract more headlines this year. But this was one of those games the contenders simply need to stash away in a long season.

The Hawks had slammed on five goals to zip by quarter-time in what was a delicious first 30 minutes.

But as the undermanned and gallant Dockers kept coming like a wounded villain in a horror flick, it would prove the decisive period in securing Hawthorn its third win of 2013.

The Hawks saluted 18.10 (118) to 11.10 (76).

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It wasn't winning ugly, but it had ugly moments, none more so than Ryan Schoenmakers going down with what appears a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter.

Hawthorn has steamrolled top-four contenders West Coast and Collingwood in the past fortnight. And after the opening 30 minutes it appeared the Dockers were about to cop the same treatment.

Cyril Rioli kicked the first two goals and was leading Lee Spurr around like an owner who can't control his border collie.

David Hale was relishing the absence of late-withdrawal Luke McPharlin and had already taken four contested grabs on debutant Tanner Smith by quarter-time.

Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne and Isaac Smith had 28 disposals between them.

But Fremantle, also missing Matthew Pavlich, rolled up its sleeves and got on with it as Lyon-coached sides do.

Stephen Hill set the tone in the second term, pulling off an incredible smother to deny Paul Puopolo a goal in the goalsquare.

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Kepler Bradley jagged two goals and Ryan Crowley got on top of Sam Mitchell.

Suddenly the meeting between one of football's supreme attacking forces and its most disciplined chokers had descended into a grinding arm-wrestle that regularly saw all 36 players in one third of the ground.

Hawthorn and Fremantle kicked five goals each in the second term and three goals each in the third term.

 When the Dockers kicked three of the first four goals of the last quarter to cut the margin to 17 points, the comeback was on.

But Lance Franklin would kick the steadier and the Hawks went on to kick the last four of the match to shut the door as the relentless run and spread finally broke the Dockers.

Hawthorn had 50 more disposals, 30 more handball receives, 61 more uncontested possessions and seven more centre clearances.

"I don't think the game rose to any great heights today, but we're really pleased to bank the four points," Clarkson said.

"A six- or seven-goal win against Fremantle at any stage is a good result for us, so we're pleased by and large by our effort today.

"It was really important to get some kind of scoreboard ascendancy, but perhaps we didn't utilise some of our chances in the second quarter to put some further scoreboard pressure on them.

"Take nothing away from Freo though. They're really hard to score against and it wasn't until late that we were really able to take control of the game."

For that they can thank Grant Birchall, who was imperious across half-back with 37 telling possessions.

 He is in clear All-Australian form.

Burgoyne was clinical, Jarryd Roughead found form with four goals, and Max Bailey had the better of Jonathon Griffin.

Smith's run and carry was also significant in penetrating the Dockers' press.

Hawthorn has now won 11 of its 13 matches at Aurora since 2010.

The Dockers' miserable run continues having won only once in nine visits - the infamous siren-gate clash with St Kilda.

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Birchall running into top form

Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall was like a brick wall across half back against Fremantle. Picture: Ross Marsden Source: The Mercury

LIKE a politician, Grant Birchall has become an expert in the art of deflection.

The more questions that arrow in on his imperious form, the more he talks up Hawthorn's even spread of contributors.

But it was a tough sell for the defender yesterday.

In a game that never reached any great height and was bogged down by mistakes for three quarters, Birchall's run and clinical distribution shone like a beacon.

The Tasmanian racked up 37 disposals, 28 of them uncontested, highlighting his willingness to run and receive from teammates.

More impressively, he barely wasted a single possession.

"Its been a pretty good start to the year, I guess," Birchall said.

"I don't know, I had a really good pre-season, my body is feeling fantastic, I'm fit and healthy and pulling up well each week.

"I'm just trying to improve my game bit by bit and we feel as though we've got a really good mix down back and it's really hard for opposition sides to nullify our run and ball movement down there."

Match: Cyril, Buddy down Dockers

With Luke Hodge returning to the side and Sam Mitchell now spending large chunks of time in defence, the loss of Matt Suckling hasn't seen opposition sides clamp down on Birchall as much as expected.

 "With Hodgy and Mitch, they're obviously quality players and there's a lot of run and rebound in the back half, so I guess it's pretty hard to stop us all running off down there," Birchall said.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon admitted Birchall had got off the chain in the first quarter, but said he was assigned an opponent for the majority of the next three quarters.

Clearly, it wasn't enough.

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Goddard leads with best intentions

Brendon Goddard against his old Saints. Picture: George Salpigtidis

FROM the first bounce Brendon Goddard made his intentions clear.

He was going to go at the ball and he was going to go at it hard.

From the time Goddard lined up to kick the game's first goal, St Kilda fans made their intentions clear.

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They were going to boo and hiss whenever the No.9 went near the pill - particularly the group on the outer wing holding the "In Goddard We Trusted" sign.

But did the Saints make their intentions known?

Not so much.

You expected, after Goddard became the first high-profile player to switch clubs under the free agency rule, that his former teammates would get a little bit physical with him.

At the opening bounce Goddard lined up next to Clint Jones, but you could have driven a truck in the gap between them.

Goddard sharked the first tap and was instantly wrapped up by Jones, Lenny Hayes and Nick Dal Santo, but there was no overt aggression - although things may have been a little different had Nick Riewoldt arrived in the circle a couple of seconds earlier.

Minutes later he ambled inside Essendon's attacking 50 unattended and marked a floating Dyson Heppell kick in front of Sam Fisher.

It gave Saints fans 30 seconds to air their grievances towards the 2002 No.1 draft pick, but they were all but drowned out by the noise made by the Bombers cheersquad.

They gave him a standing ovation to remember, he's their boy now, and it continued after he kicked truly.

About a dozen of his new teammates got around him, the only Saint that did so was Dal Santo, who gave him a bump as he ran to the interchange bench. Goddard just laughed.

It was Essendon v St Kilda last night, but the Goddard v St Kilda contest was symbolic.

At quarter-time Goddard had seven possessions, all contested. St Kilda had 75 possessions, only 36 contested.

Goddard had five tackles - the most on the ground - whereas the Saints, despite having had 34 fewer disposals than the Bombers, were losing the tackle count 20-16.

Some physicality towards Goddard would have at least shown a bit of intent from the Saints, a sign that they were willing to get their hands dirty to get back in to the contest.

It never came - although he didn't give them much of a chance.

Because who was virtually the only player not involved in the scuffle after the halftime siren? Goddard.

After the game it was Jarryn Geary first to him, followed by Rhys Stanley.

Then off they went in separate directions. Again symbolic, because you would think these clubs are headed in different directions this season, too.

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Port too strong for Suns

Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz flies high on his way to kicking four goals. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

PORT Adelaide keeps answering every challenge this season with last night's 38-point win over Gold Coast completing its best ever start to an AFL season.

While the significance of last week's win over Adelaide was beating a top-four side, last night was about winning under the weight of expectation.

The Power has suddenly grown up and after years of breaking supporters' hearts with false promise, a more mature Port Adelaide has learnt to win when it is expected to.

They overcame a sluggish first quarter which hinted at a Showdown hangover to explode with a nine goal to one second term and never looked back.

Hamish Hartlett was outstanding in continuing his progression to elite midfielder while former captain Dom Cassisi - playing his first game for the season - showed his value to the team with a superb job on Gary Ablett.

Ablett had 15 touches on Kane Cornes and Cam O'Shea in the first quarter before Cassisi restricted him to just two touches in the second term and got plenty of the footy himself.

The other shining light for Port was the combined defensive pressure of Jasper Pittard, Tom Jonas and Campbell Heath while Jackson Trengove dominated Gold Coast forward Sam Day who was eventually moved into defence on Jay Schulz.

Port kicked the first two goals of the game which included Chad Wingard's miracle left-foot snap from the boundary before Gold Coast hit back through Ablett and Jarrod Harbrow's work in the midfield.

Brandon Matera was causing havoc in the Suns' forward line and his late goal put the home side seven points up at quarter time.

Ken Hinkley then gave Cassisi the game's toughest assignment in standing Ablett and the move was a masterstroke.

As Ablett went quiet, Port's intensity lifted all over the ground and it was fourth-gamer Jake Neade leading the way.

Hartlett imposed himself with three goals for the quarter while Justin Westhoff and Wingard inflicted similar damage to give Port a 43-point lead at half time.

The only shining light for the Suns in the second quarter was teenager Jaeger O'Meara who tried to lift his side but Port had all the answers.

Gold Coast showed some early resistance after half time and got the first goal through Rory Thompson before Schulz got involved.

He kicked a goal from 30m then took a hanger over Day in the goal square which resulted in his second major and the result was beyond doubt.

Schulz finished with four goals for the game as Hartlett, Wingard and Westhoff chimed in with three.

After three competitive weeks, the Suns fell away but weren't helped by serious injuries to Joel Wilkinson and
Matthew Warnock.

The positives meanwhile kept coming for the Power as Robbie Gray was subbed in during the third quarter in his return from a knee reconstruction.

Port Adelaide held its collective breath as with his first involvement in the game Gray lunged horizontally at Andrew Swallow and had his legs taken out in mid-air but bounced straight up, showing he had lost none of his competitive instinct.

The soft-draw argument still cannot completely be dismissed when assessing where Port Adelaide ranks in relation to the rest of the competition.

But there is no denying the side has significantly improved physically and mentally because the Power of 'old' would have been prone to dropping at least one match against Gold Coast, GWS and Melbourne.

But not this unit. Under Hinkley, Port now has a steely resolve and while it's too soon to talk finals, those credentials will be put to the test in the next month.

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Speedy Blues make Eagles pay

Carlton speedster Chris Yarran booted four goals to lead the Blues to victory. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

Eagles skipper Darren Glass played on despite injuring his shoulder in the first quarter. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

SPEED kills. It can also embarrass you as West Coast defender Adam Selwood found out last night.

Leg speed has never been a strong point for the 28-year-old veteran of 182 games, but his lack of it has never been more brutally exposed than at Patersons Stadium last night.

Twice in the decisive second quarter Carlton's Chris Yarran left Selwood in his wake as he kicked sensational running goals.

Not being able to catch Yarran is nothing to be ashamed of. But the fact Dennis Armfield and Jeff Garlett started well behind Selwood before catching him and putting on shepherds made it ugly.

To blame the wholehearted elder Selwood brother for the defeat would be wrong.

The host of Eagles who sprayed simple shots on goal will instead be looking in the mirror after the Blues stunned the Eagles 12.17 (89) to 7.23 (65).

The men at the centre of the bombshell trade between the clubs six years ago - Chris Judd and Josh Kennedy - were both only peripheral figures.

Carlton's 20-point half-time lead came despite Judd having no influence to that point.

Judd, the Eagles' 2006 premiership skipper, had just one kick and five handballs in the opening half.

The shutdown job was a team effort from the Eagles, with Scott Selwood, who finished with a game-high 32 disposals and seven clearances, and Luke Shuey keeping him on a leash in the midfield and Will Schofield and flag teammate Adam Selwood minding him when he was stationed forward.

Garlett booted Carlton's second major at the 21-minute mark of the first quarter but most eyes were on Eagles skipper Darren Glass, who was laying on the ground after hurting his right shoulder in an awkward fall.

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The veteran defender had his shoulder strapped and took part in one-on-one marking contests with runner Anthony Jones at quarter-time as a fitness test to decide whether he would play on.

Glass gamely battled on but was clearly restricted as he was forced to punch left-handed and struggled to tackle with his right arm.

The teams traded goals until Swan Districts product Yarran booted the first two of his brilliant running goals in the space of three minutes midway through the second term.

Yarran nonchalantly sprinted away from Adam Selwood to kick his second, before another WA recruit in Kane Lucas made it three in a row for the visitors.

With the Coasters in trouble 14 points down, the umpires looked to have come to the rescue as Callum Sinclair was handed a soft free kick in front of goal - his fourth free for the night.

The groans around Subiaco told the story as Sinclair hit the post from 20m out, taking West Coast's tally to a woeful 3.13. The Eagles finished with 14 behinds for the opening half, the equal highest first-half behind tally in the club's history.

When Glass was out-marked in front of goal by 184cm midfielder Brock McLean early in the third term, his bravery was becoming foolhardy but the Eagles opted to persist with the All-Australian captain, instead pulling Jamie
Cripps from the game to inject substitute Bradd Dalziell.

Mark LeCras gave the home side a glimmer of hope when his second goal 15 minutes into the third term ended a run of six majors to the rampant Blues. But West Coast's tally of 4.16 still said plenty about why it was in such dire trouble.

Yarran's lightning pace came back to haunt the Eagles when he panicked Eric Mackenzie into giving away a holding free kick in the goal square, converting to push the lead beyond five goals again.

It was now or never for a response and it finally came as Jack Darling, Andrew Gaff and Daniel Kerr combined for the last three goals of the third term to close the margin to a manageable 15 points at the final change.

It was a situation that required some magic and Kerr was the man to oblige as he landed his sensational drop punt from the point where the 50m arc intersected the boundary line at the Subiaco end of the ground.

The goal brought the loudest roar of the night from the crowd of 38, 674 and it would remain that way.

There was little more to cheer about as the Blues held the Eagles goal less throughout the final quarter.

Dalziell might have had fresh legs but even that was no help as he missed a simple set shot early in the final term to continue West Coast's shocking night in front of the sticks.

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