Naitanui lifts West Coast over Tigers
West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui displayed his trademark magic and Daniel Kerr put on a midfield master class as the Eagles thumped AFL strugglers Richmond by 57 points at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
In a match celebrating West Coast's 25 years in the competition, Naitanui unleashed a blistering second quarter and Kerr finished with 34 disposals and one goal as the Eagles powered to the 22.15 (147) to 14.6 (90) triumph, keeping them within two points of fourth-placed Carlton.
But the triumph could come at a cost, with winger Matt Rosa suffering suspected posterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee.
Ruckman Dean Cox (hip) was limited largely to a forward role after copping an early knock and Naitanui (leg) was limping late in the match, but Eagles coach John Worsfold expected the duo to get up for Sunday's clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
The Tigers entered the match as rank underdogs but put up stiff resistance early, trailing West Coast by just seven points at quarter time.
But Naitanui turned the game on its head in a dominant second term, tallying eight disposals, two goals and four spectacular marks to put West Coast on track for victory.
"He took a couple of big grabs and took a couple of strong contested marks too and you can see why he's going to be such a powerhouse of a player in two to three years' time," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.
"He's a player that's still learning the game but he's ultra competitive and he's very important to the West Coast set-up."
Small forward Mark Nicoski booted a career-best six goals and Brad Ebert and Jack Darling chipped in with four goals apiece, while youngsters Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff were impressive through the midfield.
The Tigers, who are languishing in 14th spot on the table following their sixth straight defeat, lost Daniel Jackson to an ankle injury in the third quarter.
Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt had a dirty first half but recovered with three goals in the third quarter and four for the match, while Dustin Martin and Shane Tuck toiled hard all day.
Kerr, playing his first match since round 16, showed no signs of the recent soreness that had plagued him, tallying eight clearances and 15 contested possessions in a best afield performance.
"He certainly is fitter and feeling better than even when he was at the start of the year when he came in. It's a credit to him for how hard he's worked in his downtime," Worsfold said.
Worsfold, who was among eight greats to be inducted into the Eagles' inaugural Hall of Fame on Friday night, said it was a special time for the club to reflect on 25 years in the competition.
"I'm rapt with that and a lot of our old original playing group just walked through the offices and it was great to see them on the way through and say G'day quickly and I'll catch up with them shortly," Worsfold said.
"There are a lot of players that have made a massive contribution to the club over the 25-year history and I've been lucky enough to play with most of them or coach most of them. It is a big milestone for the footy club."
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