WEST Coast produced its version of 2021 football perfection on Saturday night, dominating premiership contender Port Adelaide and reminding the competition of its own flag ambitions.
On a day when back-to-back premier Richmond was knocked over by Sydney, the Eagles trounced the team seen as the Tigers' main rival this season, winning by 37 points at Optus Stadium.
They outclassed and outmuscled a flat Port outfit, building a 52-point lead at half-time and preventing a Power surge in the second half before winning 16.12 (108) to 11.5 (71).
The win could come at a cost, however, after captain Luke Shuey appeared to suffer another hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter after making a brilliant return from the same injury.
The Norm Smith medallist, who has a long recent history with soft tissue troubles, appeared frustrated as he went to the bench with eight minutes to play and didn't return as medical substitute Zac Langdon was activated.
He had played a big role in a faultless West Coast performance, with the Eagles' ability to dominate in all areas of the ground, particularly in the first half, firing a warning to rivals.
Led by superstar ruckman Nic Naitanui, their centre square weapon was as sharp as ever, winning the clearances 19-10 in the middle and 41-27 overall.
Shuey was best afield with 28 disposals and eight clearances, while Andrew Gaff returned to form with 36 touches and four inside 50s.
In attack, Josh Kennedy (four goals), Jack Darling (three) and Oscar Allen all had their moments and collectively controlled the air.
Jeremy McGovern (11 marks) and Tom Barrass did likewise in defence, holding Charlie Dixon goalless after the big Power forward booted six goals against them in round four last season.
Buoyed by 50-point-plus wins to open the season against North Melbourne and Essendon, the Power crashed back to Earth.
Coach Ken Hinkley declared pre-game that the key for his team was to limit the Eagles' time with the ball and on that measure their start could hardly have been worse.
West Coast won controlled possession in the opening term (100-71), winning the ball at the coalface and moving it with precision, while Port handed it back repeatedly with sloppy turnovers.
The result was a four-goal run to start the game – including Jarrad Brander's first AFL goal with a brilliant snap – as West Coast opened up a 26-point lead at the first break.
The possession game set in during the second quarter and Port had no answer as leading midfielders Ollie Wines, Travis Boak and Zak Butters were outpointed.
They turned the clash into a contest in the second half but never mounted an extended run as the Eagles held them at arm's length until the final siren.
WEST COAST 5.4 10.7 13.8 16.12 (108)
PORT ADELAIDE 1.1 2.3 6.3 11.5 (71)
GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Darling 3, Cripps 2, Ryan 2, Allen, Brander, Kelly, Petruccelle, Sheed
Port Adelaide: Gray 3, Marshall 3, Fantasia 2, Georgiades 2, Drew
BEST
West Coast: Shuey, Gaff, Kennedy, Naitanui, Kelly, McGovern, Redden
Port Adelaide: Duursma, Houston, Boak, Byrne-Jones, Georgiades
INJURIES
West Coast: Shuey (hamstring), Brendon Ah Chee (hamstring) replaced in final team by Jarrod Brander
Port Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Zac Langdon (replaced Shuey)
Port Adelaide: Miles Bergman (unused)
Crowd: 42,090 at Optus Stadium
