Advertisement

Cometti: Big times ahead at Eagles

Cometti: Big times ahead at Eagles

Like a freshly shined apple Adam Simpson and West Coast passed their first test with flying colours yesterday.

They were crisp, they were well organised and they oozed confidence.

Led by Mark LeCras the field kicking, particularly in the third quarter, was reminiscent of their best moments in 2012.

Funny how the Eagles field kicking in recent times has almost become a biennial event!

But I must admit the thing that caught my eye most was nothing new, it remains a constant, Dean Cox just being Dean Cox.

He is a remarkable player and clearly the best big man in the club's history.

So much so he is often judged by a different standard.

Yesterday, despite cruising in the final term, he finished with 23 possessions.

At his best he is Chris Judd or Peter Matera, only in CinemaScope.

But his supporting cast is much less clear!

Neil Young was on the money when he suggested 'Rust Never Sleeps' and Nic Naitinui is running, jumping, living proof.

The good news is that the Eagles will play Melbourne next week followed by St Kilda. Time enough for Naitinui to find some touch before a round four meeting with Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

Three big guys, one of them struggling for form would then become a luxury.

Enter Callum Sinclair, a guy with cartoon like resilience and a healthy dose of athleticism.

Sinclair's resume falls well short of Naitinui but yesterday he shone more brightly.

For a guy who was elevated off the rookie season last season (ironically for the injured Nic Nat) and again last week the contrast couldn't be more striking, or timely.