Danielle Laidley: Breaking down the moment that proves clearances are killing West Coast Eagles

The Eagles have improved significantly on the field this season and I have no doubt now they are on the right track — but their Achilles heel continues to be their clearances. And this was on full display in their clash against North Melbourne on Sunday. The Kangaroos jumped out of the blocks, winning the clearances 13-5 in the first quarter and managing to score early. West Coast still had many opportunities in the first half, but squandered a series of shots on goal, kicking 1.8 at the half. Yes, there were some missed shots, but also too many long points from bombing the ball inside 50 and being spoilt over the goal line or rushed. The third quarter saw the Eagles get their whole game in order — they won clearances for the quarter 11-9. It allowed more than 20 inside-50s, with the result being a forward-half game where they kicked 28 of their 29 points from intercept possessions. This Achilles heel raised its head again against North Melbourne in the last quarter. It became very costly indeed. The damage was North winning clearances by 15-4 in the last quarter — that’s a smashing. It allowed the Roos to score from these stoppage wins or get repeat inside-50s to score from turnover, kicking a total of 4.5 for the quarter. A lot of issues can be coached on the run, but clearances are killing West Coast. As it sits, they are ranked 18th in the AFL for clearance differential, averaging minus 11.8 per game. Richmond — who are ranked 17th — are only minus 5.5, with that difference alone huge. Let’s hone in on one of the most costly stoppages for the Eagles on Sunday, when just over three minutes was left on the clock and West Coast were up by three points. The umpire balls it up, Tim Kelly is playing a cover role and not joining in. Elijah Hewett, the inside mid, doesn’t join in. North Melbourne all join in to pressure their opposition. A Harley Reid fumble leads to a Cam Zurhaar goal to put the Roos in front and they went on to win by 10 points. A lot of West Coast’s game is in good order and improving. Andrew McQualter is doing a great job with the team he has. The magnets are being swung through the midfield to allow his team to compete for long periods. Brady Hough has been good in the contest but not winning the ball, he’s been a tackling machine but not a clearance winner. Jack Hutchinson also falls into this category. Jack Graham, too, has been very good. He’s a tackling machine, best suited to a high half- forward role, where his work-rate is through the roof. They are doing everything they can to compete. Tyler Brockman, Hewett and Reid are spinning through the midfield doing some great things but can’t sustain it over four quarters. Matt Flynn is getting better with his ability to compete in the ruck, but can’t sustain it. If we lived in a fantasy world and it could be fixed today, put the likes of Fremantle’s Caleb Serong (averages almost nine clearances a game) or Gold Coast captain Noah Anderson (averages about eight) into the West Coast midfield and the numbers suggest they could more than compete and it would bring more wins to the table. Alas, we don’t live in this world. The coach will continue to spin the magnets, but this is the area the Eagles need to focus on come the off-season.