The Eagles Keep Soaring

West Coast continued to underline their credentials as a bonafide Premiership contender with an impressive win over Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Though they were given a scare in the first half, the Eagles gained control of the game in the second half to win the game when it mattered in a 15 point win. It was the Eagles first win over the Hawks since 2006, as they continued to solidify themselves as a team to fear come September and Finals time.

Hawthorn were plagued by uncharacteristic second-half sloppiness, turning the ball over time and again, but they managed to hang around in the game enough to make it a very tough contest. The Eagles stood tall when it counted though.

Andrew Gaff led from the front, tallying 35 disposals in a superb display and was ably assisted by Elliot Yeo, who had 28 disposals of his own despite playing with the knee he hurt a week ago heavily strapped.

Hawthorn had led the game and in the second quarter were a 59 percent chance of victory, but it was as close as they ever got. 

Their win probability according to Stats Insider Models dropped to 45 percent at halftime and they never got closer, falling away in the second half as the Eagles took a stranglehold on not only the game but the top of the AFL ladder.

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