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Why the Blues cannot underestimate the Eagles on Sunday
Jaiden Sciberras ⢠ June 15th, 2025 1:45 pm
Despite having recorded just one victory in 2025 so far, Champion Dataâs Daniel Hoyne believes that the West Coast Eagles are no easy feat.
Their Round 13 clash with North Melbourne was dominant, smashing the âRoos all over the park however failing to get the job done, kicking themselves out of the game curtesy of their consistently woeful accuracy heading towards goal.
The Eagles appear to have found their groove, playing a high intensity brand that focuses on front half turnovers and repeat inside 50âs.
While the side is yet to claim a second victory, Hoyne believes the Blues cannot underestimate the Eagles approaching their contest in Round 14, stating that West Coastâs recent brand has been far more dangerous than their position on the ladder may suggest.
âSunday, 6:10pm, Carlton (should be) a little bit nervy,â Hoyne told SEN Sportsday.
âI know youâre coming up against a team that is 18th and have won one game, but they are actually doing a fair bit right.
âIf Iâm a Carlton supporter, Iâm not treating this as a âhow good is this, weâve got West Coast and weâve got North and weâve got Port, we should be 8-7â.
âThis is one of those games as a Carlton supporter, Iâm walking in going, âget in, get outâ.
âWest coast, Iâve said this for years, I think for us on the outside, we should be able to give a quick one liner for how a team is wanting to play to be able to identify what youâre seeing.
âIf you canât, I reckon thereâs a bit of confusion and a bit of uncertainty about what youâre trying to do.
âWest Coast is as obvious as you could possibly be, which is a credit to the coaching staff. They want to play long, direct, straight line footy, get territory, lock the ball in their forward half.
âThe last six weeks, what they are doing from a pressure sense, is in the top half in the competition. Their ability to win the ball back in their forward half is the seventh best in the competition, and theyâre getting it on the scoreboard top six in the competition.
âOverall, what they are doing when they actually win possession of the ball and getting on the scoreboard, top six. Their ball movement from that half back area, top six.
âIf youâre Carlton, Iâm a little bit nervy about this game. For 75 minutes against one of the better teams in the competition against Geelong, they did a lot right. For 75 minutes against Adelaide in Adelaide, they did a lot right. Against North Melbourne on the weekend, there is no doubt they should have won that game. Against Melbourne, they did a lot right for 75 minutes.
âThis is one of those games, not to treat as âtheyâre 18th, won one gameâ, they should just walk in, walk out and get this job done.â
The contest on Sunday is a must-win for the Blues in their ambition to remain in the hunt for finals footy.
