The West Coast Eagles have recovered from last week’s loss to beat the winless Sydney Swans by 26 points at Subiaco Oval.
Luke Shuey was the star of the show with 30 touches and a crucial fourth-quarter goal to help the Eagles to a 13.13 (91) to 10.5 (65) victory, while Jamie Cripps kicked three goals.
The Swans will have to create history to play in the AFL finals this year after the loss — their fourth straight defeat — with no team recovering from a 0-4 start to play in the finals since the AFL instituted the top eight system in 1994.
North Melbourne were the last team to do it, starting 0-4 in 1975 and winning the VFL premiership.
The Swans have lost their opening four games of a season for the first time since 1993.
Sydney fought valiantly but couldn’t contain the West Coast firepower. They never gave up and did put a scare into the Eagles with a Jake Lloyd goal at the 10-minute mark of the last term to get within six points.
But the Eagles steadied with four of the last five goals to win comfortably.
Even with limited involvement by Sam Mitchell, West Coast’s midfield got on top, Shuey a leading light with his 30 possessions, seven tackles and a goal.
Matt Priddis had another 29 disposals and Andrew Gaff 28 (two goals). Elliot Yeo was strong off half-back again with 29 touches and 11 marks.
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