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West Coast captain Luke Shuey says the club isn’t looking at the win-loss record ahead of their clash with Port Adelaide on Saturday, saying the Eagles know their opponents are a much better side than their 0-5 start would indicate.
The Power are the only winless club going into round six, but Shuey said last year’s preliminary finalists could be in a very different position if close games against Brisbane (11 points), Adelaide (4) and Carlton (3) had gone their way.
“I think Port are one of those sides who could’ve easily have been 2-3 or 3-2 … sometimes a bit of bad luck and you do end up 0-5,” he said.
“Their record probably suggests they’re going more poorly than what they actually are . Their second half against Carlton was outstanding and that’s the football we’re used to seeing from Port Adelaide and what we expect on Saturday night.”
The hosts aren’t just chasing their first four points of the season against the Eagles, but will be looking to claim the win over the visitors for the first time at Adelaide Oval – with West Coast holding a 5-0 record against the Power at the venue.
The Eagles’ wins include Jeremy McGovern kicking truly after the siren to secure victory in round 21, 2018, while Shuey had a post-buzzer moment in extra time to claim a win in the 2017 elimination final.
“It always has been a tough trip to play the Adelaide teams at Adelaide Oval,” Shuey said.
“I wouldn’t be looking too much into the numbers being five from five. I think two were decided after the siren, so again they could have easily been 3-2 (against the Eagles). I know we haven’t lost there but they’ve been tough outings.
“They are going to be as hungry as ever for a win, like we are this week.”
The buzzword of the moment for West Coast is “synergy” with the side finally appearing to get some continuity at the selection table following COVID woes, injury headaches and stars putting their hands up to return in droves.
“To field the same 22 or 23 every week for a couple of weeks in a row would be nice. Fingers crossed we get a bit of luck on that front and guys can start to string a few games together,” Shuey said.
Veteran Shannon Hurn, emerging defender Luke Foley and pre-season supplemental selection Patrick Naish are the only Eagles to have played all five games in 2022, which Shuey said posed challenges for the club.
“We’re searching for that synergy as a group.,” he said. “We’ve played 40 players, so there are not too many guys who have played a lot of footy together and that probably showed on Friday night.
“We’re a work in progress and we’re striving for that continuity on field over the next few weeks. We were never going to bring it all together straight away but the quicker we can get going and get synergy as a 22 on-field, the better off we’re going to be.”
Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Tim Kelly and Jamie Cripps appear to have got through their first match back unscathed, while defender Jeremy McGovern looms as the only potential change for Saturday – if he is deemed fit to play after exiting isolation later this week.
“I think it’s touch and go. I think he gets out late in the week, so fingers crossed he gets up for Saturday,” Shuey said.
Brownlow medalist Ollie Wines has been cleared by doctors to return to full training and competition after suffering a heart irregularity, which the club advises has since been resolved, and is expected to play against the Eagles.
Port captain Tom Jonas has avoided significant damage to his right knee and is also expected to play.
Power young gun Xavier Duursma is also available after two weeks on the sidelines with neck and shoulder bruising.
Both clubs will name their sides for the Adelaide Oval clash on Thursday.
