Willem Duursma, last year's No.1 AFL draft pick, was reduced to tears in the aftermath of West Coast's heartbreaking 11-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on Sunday. The Eagles have now won just four games this season after managing only one victory last year, and the emotional weight of another defeat proved overwhelming.
Emotional Aftermath
Fellow No.1 draft pick and housemate Harley Reid, who was West Coast's best with 34 touches, consoled Duursma after the final siren as the youngster's emotions poured out.
Channel 7's Luke Hodge praised the reaction, saying it showed how much the teenager cares.
“You’ve got to bottle that emotion. I think that’s great,” Hodge said.
“Any kid that wants to look forward, especially an interstate player coming in, getting an opportunity to play at the ‘G and they dropped it today, just shows how much he cares about his football.”
Richmond Ends Its Slump
Richmond broke an eight-game losing streak and took a big step towards avoiding the wooden spoon with an 11-point victory. The Tigers' 12.12 (84) to 9.19 (73) win was their first since Round 11 in May, aided by West Coast's dire goalkicking.
The Eagles had four more scoring shots and seven more inside 50s, but their wastefulness resulted in an eighth successive defeat.
Tigers young gun Sam Lalor kicked a game and career-high three goals, while Tim Taranto starred with 32 disposals and 11 clearances in front of 33,733 fans.
Goalkicking Woes
It took just over 14 minutes for the game's first major after both sides sprayed chances in a scrappy opening quarter. Hugo Ralphsmith's superb individual effort sparked Richmond, with Jayden Short adding another moments later.
West Coast posted 0.5 before Jake Waterman kicked their first major, but late goals to Jack Ross and Sam Lalor gave the Tigers a 10-point quarter-time lead.
The Eagles' misery continued in the second quarter, with Fox Sports commentator Ben Dixon joking, “Should we move it to the comedy channel? Seriously, this goalkicking is unbelievable.” They had 16 scoring shots to Richmond's 10 in the first half but trailed by 15 points at the main break with a dismal 3.13 scoreline.
Second-Half Struggles
Tiger Luke Trainor will likely be cited by the MRO for an off-the-ball hit to the stomach of Jack Williams in the second term.
West Coast remained their own worst enemy in the third term, reaching 3.17 at one stage. Richmond capitalised with the first goal of the second half through Tyler Sonsie to open a three-goal lead.
Waterman finally kicked the Eagles' fourth goal 18 minutes into the third term, their first since early in the second quarter. The sides traded goals late, with the Tigers clinging to a 12-point lead at the last change.
West Coast's hopes of a comeback were quickly snuffed out by Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis, who kicked two quick goals early in the final term. The Eagles threatened late, but a goal to Sam Lalor sealed the win.
