Alarm bells ring over eagles final-term fade-outs

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Craig O'Donoghue and Nick RynneThe West Australian Once again, West Coast’s inability to hold their form late in a game has cost them. The Eagles were in complete control of Collingwood


going into the final change at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but not even a 24-point lead could protect them from another late fade-out. Of all the issues under Adam Simpson this season, the


team’s inability to protect a lead in the final 30 minutes of the game has been the most damaging. In their past six games the club has only managed to win one fourth quarter, and even then


it was only by one point against Fremantle in round 17. In the eight-point loss to the Pies, the statistical breakdown of the fourth quarter was alarming: DISPOSALS Collingwood 94 West Coast


70 CLEARANCES Collingwood 11 West Coast 4 CONTESTED POSSESSIONS Collingwood 37 West Coast 15 INSIDE 50S Collingwood 13 West Coast 8 MARKS INSIDE 50 Collingwood 5 West Coast 2 SCORES


Collingwood 5.4 (34) West Coast 1.2 (8) It’s an area the team must address if they are to be any chance of playing and making an impact in finals this season. WEST COAST’S PAST SIX FINAL


TERMS 13-point loss to Geelong 11-point loss to Melbourne 21-point loss to Western Bulldogs 32-point loss to port Adelaide 1-point win against Fremantle 26-point loss to Collingwood GET THE


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