The Eagles youngsters swooped in for the win over the Western Bulldogs and all without head coach Adam Simpson at the helm at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Simpson flew back to Perth to be with his sick daughter last night and the club put Jaymie Graham in charge of the team that claimed their first win of the season.

West Coast stayed cool, calm and in control for most of the game and kept the Bulldogs goalless in the second quarter to claim the big 51-point win, 18.13 (121) to 9.16 (70).

West Coast brought in debutant Willie Rioli who was impressive early, while Subiaco recruit Liam Ryan was definitely up and about taking some high marks and kicking three goals.
Luke Shuey was shut down for most of the game, while Scott Lycett continued to improve for West Coast.

“He’s got some serious class when he gets his hand on the footy so he’s a real exciting prospect,” Longmuir says of Liam Ryan#AFLDogsEagles

— 6PR Football (@6prfootball) April 1, 2018

Tony Barlow Menswear WA Player of the Year – As voted by Brad Hardie

5️⃣ Shannon Hurn
4️⃣ Liam Ryan
3️⃣ Jack Darling
2️⃣ Scott Lycett
1️⃣ Daniel Venables#AFLDogsEagles

— 6PR Football (@6prfootball) April 1, 2018

Hear how the game played out…

“We really needed our leaders to stand up after a loss last week and obviously on a travel game, so, we all looked to Bunga and he provided,” Liam Duggan told 6PR after the game.

“I had a few other little stresses I had to think about throughout the day, but nothing really changed,” Jaymie Graham stepped up in the absence of coach Adam Simpson. Hear what he had to say after the game.

“Young Willie, he’s an exciting player… He’s enthusiam, his pressure and he’s got some tricks that you like to see,” Adrian Hickmott told our commentary team before the game.