Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want the West Coast Eagles to beat Melbourne on the weekend. Have no doubt. The Eagles have defied all the odds to win 16 matches and finish second this year, a remarkable achievement with veterans Matthew Priddis, Sam Butler, Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie all retiring last year. The Eagles were brilliant against Collingwood in slippery conditions a fortnight ago. Every side has injuries, and the Eagles are no exception, with Nic Naitanui, Andrew Gaff and Brad Sheppard all missing this weekend's game. But West Coast have won all their preliminary finals in WA, beating Collingwood, Adelaide and North Melbourne over the year. Coach Adam Simpson will be hoping it will be third time lucky against Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, who's won both encounters when they've gone head to head in the coaches box. But it shouldn't go unnoticed that the club is in its 23rd finals campaign in just its 32nd year. Some of you in the Victorian space need to have a bit of a look at that. It's an amazing feat for the guys that have to travel so much, and we only have to look at a couple of the other sides that don't travel much and are in the finals to know how good the Eagles actually are. So I want to wish coach Adam Simpson, captain Shannon Hurn and all the team all the very best. It's time to not just beat Melbourne but also end a 12-year drought. Go the mighty Eagles!

Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have much to say, but I'll leave it.