AFL

Rest days no advantage for Eagles

By Zac Milbank
April 10, 2006

RECOVERY is important but it wasn't the catalyst behind West Coast's two-point win against Adelaide yesterday.

The Eagles had an extra four days to prepare for the match at AAMI Stadium, but it amounted to little as the Crows finished the stronger to outscore the visitors 6.3 to 2.2 in the final term.

"People like to think there may be something in it," Eagles coach John Worsfold, who went on to the field after the siren to congratulate his players, said of the rest period.

"But I think what it does show is that it doesn't matter how tired you are, if you're winning the ball, you're in charge of the game.

"The fact that they started winning the ball in the last quarter is an indication that you can't rely on extra days for preparation."

Worsfold was pleased with the grit shown by his team on foreign soil.

"I suppose coming in and playing Adelaide in Adelaide in round two will be a great measure for how we are going and to win the game was very pleasing," Worsfold said.

"When you look at your draw (St Kilda and Adelaide) you like to get off to a good start and to win our first two games, we're rapt."

But the four premiership points were not the only positives to come out of the triumph, with Worsfold realising the potential of two of his most inexperienced players, Jaymie Graham and Matt Rosa.

With his forward structure still far from settled, Worsfold used Graham successfully at the goalmouth.

Graham, playing just his fourth AFL game, outpointing Crows defender Ken McGregor more than once to kick three goals.

"We knew Jaymie would spend some time up forward with Ash Hansen out of the side," Worsfold said.

"He presented really well, got into some good spots for us, gave us some good contests and got the reward for it."

And when Worsfold decided to give Rosa his fourth AFL game, by omitting Travis Gaspar just before the bounce, the rangy wingman (190cm and 78kg) showed he can play with 27 possessions and nine marks.

"He was unlucky to miss out last week," Worsfold said.

"We think he's going to develop into a very good player either on a wing, half-forward or half-back."