The view from the outer: how the fans saw it

Sam Butler – 7
Really solid game from the only survivor of the Eagles' last flag back in 2006. He had a number of defensive jobs and held his nerve under severe pressure, particularly in the first half.

Jamie Cripps – 6
Three missed shots in the first half, albeit under a fair bit of heat, spoiled his return. He also fluffed a great chance going forward in the second term to find Josh Kennedy. Persevered and added a fourth behind then gave off a goal to Mark LeCras midway through the last term which iced the game. Finished full of running but will be disappointed with kicking 0.4.

Jack Darling – 5
Struggled to get involved early, got thrown into the midfield in the second term and still battled. He had more of an impact in the third term booting a goal from a dubious free kick off the ball against Robbie Tarrant.

Xavier Ellis – 7
Not a huge attacking game but didn’t put a foot wrong defensively and was another whose cool head calmed the nerves in the back half. The 2008 premiership Hawk ended with 21 possessions.

Andrew Gaff – 6
Had the hard tag from Sam Gibson, was very quiet early and conceded a first-term goal. Missed his own gilt-edged chance in the second term when he took advantage after a Kennedy free kick and missed from 35 metres. But his determination to fight out the game was rewarded and he ended with 20 possessions.

Josh Hill – 5
Just couldn’t get near it until after half-time and didn’t really take his chances when he got them. Kicked a junk time goal for the highlights reel.

Shannon Hurn – 6
Crashed a few packs and tried to get his side going when they were behind in the opening half. Played his role but didn’t have a big impact.

Mark Hutchings – 7
Loved the in-and-under style of game. He helped ensure the Roos didn’t get easy escapes from clearances, ending with seven tackles and 11 contested possessions. Did his job. 

Josh Kennedy – 8
Led the Eagles revival in the second term with two goals after they had been held to just 0.2 in the first term. He is a real figurehead of this team and holds their Grand Final chances firmly in his hands. He let himself down with poor kicking at goal, ending with 2.3, but was still one of the most influential players on the ground. 

Mark LeCras – 6
A nearly game from the Eagles sharpshooter. He nearly got away a few times, he nearly took a few marks and nearly booted a few goals. But he ended with just the one last-quarter major although he did his bit in tight. Plenty of upside for next week.

Chris Masten – 5
Struggled to provide his normal run on his return from a torn hamstring and was subbed off in the final term.

Jeremy McGovern – 7
Big presence in the back half. Read the play and held his own in marking contests without taking his normal share of intercept marks. His kicking wasn’t always at its best but he is crucial to this side and proved his value again.

Nic Naitanui – 7
Enjoyed a terrific battle with Todd Goldstein and he probably shaded the big Roo. His 30 hit-outs trailed Goldstein’s 40 but his six clearances at ground level were the second highest for the Eagles.

Matt Priddis – 8
Awesome third quarter ignited the Eagles. Kicked one goal himself and handed off another to Wellingham during a purple patch. His big engine spluttered early as the Kangas tackled maniacally but he chugged into top gear and led his side home with 26 possessions and seven tackles.

Matt Rosa – 3
Started as substitute and came on in the final term in place of Masten. Got just the three possessions. 

Will Schofield – 8
Simply superb again against bigger opponents, Schofield just continues to get the job done and was another who held firm when the Roos charged early in the match.  

Dom Sheed – 7
The youngest Eagle showed his elder teammates how to do it when they were under the pump early in the second term. His poise while some others looked panicky spread through the ranks. His highlight was a third-quarter snap from a tight angle. Not bad for a 20-year-old.

Brad Sheppard – 7
Shaky start as well but recovered and did a great job on taller opponents. Looks like he always knows what is going to happen in the game, a trait reserved for the top players. He is one of the most improved defenders going around.

Luke Shuey – 6
Not a huge possession match under a severe tag by Ben Jacobs but his two goals were priceless. His third-term effort wasn’t quite a blitz but it was crucial. Five disposals, four contested, three tackles and a superb running goal after slicing through two tackles gave the Eagles their highest lead of 22 points at that stage. It was when the match really turned the home side’s way. 

Callum Sinclair – 6
Solid attack at the ruck contests, he made Goldstein work for every hit-out and possession when it was his turn. Took a couple of nice contested marks as well to go with 13 hit-outs. 

Sharrod Wellingham – 9
His best game at West Coast came when they needed it most. Set the standard when the Roos were up and going and was probably the only Eagle to put in a full four-quarter performance. 

Elliot Yeo – 7
Looks like he’ll be a ripper finals player and did plenty of grunt work in close and backing into marking contests across half-back. But he tried to do too much too often when he had the ball and will want to go for the first option a bit more in the Grand Final.