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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 Data’s Daniel Hoyne believes that the West Coast Eagles are no easy feat.
Their Round 13 clash with North Melbourne was dominant, smashing the ‘Roos 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 50’s.
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 Coast’s recent brand has been far more dangerous than their position on the ladder may suggest.
“Sunday, 6:10pm, Carlton (should be) a little bit nervy,” Hoyne told SEN Sportsday.
“I know you’re coming up against a team that is 18th and have won one game, but they are actually doing a fair bit right.
“If I’m a Carlton supporter, I’m not treating this as a ‘how good is this, we’ve got West Coast and we’ve got North and we’ve got Port, we should be 8-7’.
“This is one of those games as a Carlton supporter, I’m walking in going, ‘get in, get out’.
“West coast, I’ve 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 you’re seeing.
“If you can’t, I reckon there’s a bit of confusion and a bit of uncertainty about what you’re trying to do.
“West 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.
“The 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 they’re getting it on the scoreboard top six in the competition.
“Overall, 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.
“If you’re Carlton, I’m 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.
“This is one of those games, not to treat as ‘they’re 18th, won one game’, they should just walk in, walk out and get this job done.”
The contest on Sunday is a must-win for the Blues in their ambition to remain in the hunt for finals footy.
