Jobe Shanahan didn’t pick up the win in his AFL debut, but the Moama export showed plenty in an improved team performance.
West Coast challenged and at times looked like they might come out on top against ladder-leader Collingwood on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium, with Shanahan’s best moment one of the reasons his side led at the half.
With eight-and-a-half minutes to go in the second term, Shanahan outpaced his marker, Collingwood captain Darcy Moore, on a leftward run, sweeping on to a Liam Duggan delivery to mark on the edge of 50.
Shanahan, now an AFL goal-kicker, made no mistake on the set shot, slotting directly through the uprights and getting mobbed by his Eagles teammates.
The major put West Coast back into the ascendancy and the Eagles were threatening the upset with an eight-point half-time advantage.
Collingwood recovered in the second half to win by 29 points.
Although he had been recently deployed in the back line in the WAFL, Shanahan suited up in the forwards for his debut.
He logged eight disposals, at 100 per cent efficiency, along with three score involvements and two intercept possessions in a strong debut performance.
In his post-game press conference, coach Andrew McQualter praised Shanahan’s effort on debut.
“I think it’s really exciting for our fans to get to see what Jobe can do,” he said.
“He had a good look at a few in the first quarter as well, which he didn’t quite stick on to, but then even his ability to finish that set shot, he’s a really classy player and the more he plays, the better he’ll get.
“I think we all know that it takes a little bit longer for key position players in this game, but I thought it was a great start from him.”
On AFL All Access, Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd indicated other AFL clubs might have missed a trick leaving Shanahan to the second round of the draft in November.
“Just the way he moved, you straight away thought ‘gee, they’ve got one here’,” he said.
“I really liked the mobility of him, his foot skills were sensational.
“It’s going to be a watch over the next 10 to 15 years because Richmond selected a number of forwards before him and Shanahan blew out (in the draft).”
West Coast will be back in action on Friday, taking on GWS from 8.20pm at Optus Stadium and McQualter would be hard-pressed to leave Shanahan out of his 22 after a useful first outing at the top level.