Garry Lyon, Jason Dunstall roast poor West Coast Eagles defensive pressure after goalless term against Collingwood

The West Coast Eagles “aren’t going to have any say” on the finals in 2021, according to commentators Garry Lyon and Jason Dunstall after the club’s shocking opening term performance against Collingwood.

The Eagles, who started the match $1.80 favourites in Shannon Hurn’s 300th game, were woeful in the first term and failed to score a goal as the Pies opened up a 21-point lead.

But it was the manner in which Collingwood were able to score that saw Dunstall and Lyon slam the Eagles’ efforts.

“Look at the time the ball user is being given to use the football… That’s so easy,” Dunstall lamented.

“The lack of pressure… We spoke about pressure, that looked like a training drill.

“(Adam Simpson) is one step away from dragging Shannon Hurn in at half time, holding him out in front of the group and saying: ‘This is the insipid performance you blokes are putting in representing the first player ever in the history of this club to play 300 games’.”

Lyon said there were “holes everywhere” in the leaky Eagles defence.

“The lack of pressure and willingness to close down, it’s not worthy of a side who’s contending.” he said.

“If you can’t defend ball movement, you don’t deserve it (play finals). (Collingwood have) put on a clinic.

“We’re seeing this too often from this Eagles side, getting into desperation.

“Their season is shot.”

Dunstall gave the Eagles a final bake after youngster Connor West missed his set shot before the Pies marched down field and young Rupert Wills added another.

“They are an average pressure team at best… the last month they are ranked 17th in the competition,” he said.

“That suggests this team isn’t going to have any say come September.”

Coach Adam Simpson decided he had seen enough midway through the opening term, heading up to the coaches box after starting the game on the bench.

Jamie Cripps kicked the Eagles’ only goal of the half with less than five minutes to go in the second term.

The Eagles trail by 50 points, 10.1 (61) to 1.5 (11), at half time.

It’s just the second time in 11 years that the Eagles have scored 11 points or less in first half.

And they now have games against Melbourne, Fremantle and Brisbane to come as they hang on to seventh spot in the top eight.