Lynch blitz helps Eagles sink Crows
A final-quarter blitz from Quinten Lynch inspired West Coast to a thrilling 10-point AFL practice match victory over Adelaide in Alice Springs.
The Eagles trailed by 14 points at the final change and appeared destined for defeat before Lynch turned the game on its head.
The 26-year-old exploded to prominence early in the final quarter, booting three goals in as many minutes to help secure the 15.5 (95) to 12.13 (85) victory.
Lynch finished the match with four goals while fellow forward Ashley Hansen and midfielders Daniel Kerr and Chris Masten chipped in with two apiece.
Scott Stevens (four goals), Trent Hentschel (two goals) and Taylor Walker (two goals) shared the load up forward for the Crows.
The Eagles booted four goals to three in the first term to take a six-point lead into quarter time and threatened to run away with the game in the second term when they opened up a 17-point advantage.
The Crows closed the gap to seven points at half time and snatched the lead midway through the third quarter with a four-goal burst.
But just as West Coast appeared set to throw in the towel Lynch stepped up to the mark, drilling three unanswered goals early in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles an eight-point break.
Stevens closed the gap to four points in the dying minutes but Chad Fletcher sealed the win with his first goal of the match.
"We were really happy with the way we regrouped and played out that last quarter," West Coast football operations manager Neale Daniher said.
"We got on the scoreboard really quickly thanks to Lynchy.
"It was a good hit-out, we were happy with Mitch Brown, he got through his first game in a while.
"Masten was good with (Matt) Priddis and Kerr in the midfield, and Hansen was good up forward with Lynch."
Ruckman Dean Cox copped a knock to the face in the third quarter but Daniher was confident the four-time All-Australian had not suffered any serious damage.
Adelaide will assess the fitness of Graham Johncock after the defender was forced off with a corked thigh.
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