Oscar Allen leads from the front as West Coast scores stunning comeback victory over North Melbourne

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Oscar Allen leads from the front as West Coast scores stunning comeback victory over North Melbourne

West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen has spearheaded the Eagles to an incredible comeback victory, slotting five second half goals including the winner with seconds left on the clock to deliver them a five point win in Hobart.

The Kangaroos led by 35 points midway through the third term but the Eagles ran the home side down twice, kicking the final three goals of the game in four minutes to ******* victory.

Allen kicked the match winner, with retiring star Andrew Gaff kicking it deep inside 50 where it landed with the falling forward who snapped it over his shoulder to seal a miraculous 15.12 (102) to 14.13 (97) triumph at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.

It ended a nine-game losing streak away from home and was the Eagles’ fifth win – their most since 2021.

The Kangaroos looked to have broken the Eagles with a run of seven unanswered goals from the 22nd minute mark of the first term until the 20th minute of the third.

They led by nearly six goals after star Harry Sheezel kicked his second early in the third quarter, but the Eagles found another gear.

Jake Waterman broke the drought as West Coast kicked four goals in seven minutes to bring the game back to life.

Camera IconHarry Sheezel celebrates a goal. Credit: Steve Bell/Getty Images

And it gave them hope in a tight final term where both sides traded momentum.

North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis looked like he’d be the match-winner for the Eagles with three final quarter goals, but the Eagles didn’t give up.

Star Elliot Yeo, Allen and Jamie Cripps all kicked two final quarter goals, with each kicking one of the final three to go from 19 points down late in the term as they overran the home side in an incredible performance.

West Coast interim coach Jarrad Schofield did his best to nullify the Kangaroos’ dynamic midfield by sending Zane Trew to tag Luke Davies-Uniacke (28 disposals and eight clearances), but the sheer numbers got them as Harry Sheezel (31 disposals and two goals) and Tom Powell (26 disposals, six clearances and two goals) were prolific.

Allen led a third-quarter fightback, kicking three of their five goals as their forward line made the most of limited opportunities.

The Eagles had a near perfect start kicking the first two goals, with three of the first five goals within 23 minutes in a fast-paced star.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconToby Pink celebrates a goal. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

As the term rolled on the Kangaroos settled and a goal after the siren from Toby Pink ensured the Kangaroos lead at the first break despite the Eagles’ early dominance.

The biggest question hanging over the Eagles heading into the game was how their undersized defence fare against the Kangaroos would fare.

West Coast stalwart Jeremy McGovern (25 disposals and 13 intercept possessions) was blanketing spearhead Nick Larkey (one goal, while Reuben Ginbey was left to tackle forward-ruck Brynn Teakle, who had 12cm on his younger opponent, while Brady Hough matched up against Cam Zurhaar.

The Kangaroos couldn’t take advantage of the mismatches though with their ball us forward of centre leaving their forwards frustrated despite the overwhelming midfield dominance.

It took a classy goal on the run from Sheezel to break the more than 14-minute deadlock, before Powell kicked a pair of goals – one on each foot – as North Melbourne broke open the match.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconOscar Allen was inspired with five second-half goals. Credit: Steve Bell/Getty Images

North Melbourne had taken full control of the game, sending the ball inside 50 17 times to only six, with the only highlight for the Eagles coming in the form a Reid hanger late in the term.

The Kangaroos continued the dominance early in the third term as Larkey finally broke free of McGovern to kick an early goal before Sheezel kicked a second to ***** the margin out to 35 points.

West Coast’s drought was finally broken by Jake Waterman late in the third term which began a run of four goals in seven minutes to bring the contest back to life.

Veteran Liam Shiels settled the Kangaroos with an important goal to try to break the momentum but Oscar Allen slotted his third for the quarter to give the visitors hope heading into the final term.

It wasn’t all good news for the Eagles though with Reid limping from the field and starting the final term on the bench with a leg injury.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconTyrell Dewar, Jack Williams and Harley Reid of the Eagles celebrate the win. Credit: Steve Bell/Getty Images

The teenage star watched on as goals to Jamie Cripps and Yeo levelled the scores for the first time since the opening term before coming back on the field after finally convincing the staff he was right to go.

But he was restricted to playing as the deepest forward as North Melbourne again got on top with the next two goals and Larkey had the chance to seal the win, but missed a regulation set shot.

The Eagles went coast-to-coast with Tyrell Dewar to keep the visitors within touch, but Curtis slotted consecutive goals to put the result beyond doubt down in Tasmania.

West Coast still found another gear, kicking the last four goals in a massive win.

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