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The West Coast unveiled its flag for 2018 before making the difference with a 52-point victory over GWS at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The Eagles missed their big defeat in last week's 44-point loss to Brisbane, and were desperate to avoid a 0-2 start to the season.
The alarm bells rang out when GWS took a two-point lead mid-way through the second term.
But the West Coast started the next five goals in 12 minutes of blitz to help hold the win from 16.8 (104) to 7.10 (52) ahead of 54,985 fans in adoration.
GWS won the 50-62-47 account inside, but their neglected entries cost them dearly.
Giants midfielder, Lachie Whitfield, was stunning with 33 cessions and five clears in a tough display, but his teammates did not have the same polishing.
Luke Shuey, West Coast medalist Luke Shuey, had 28 badists and two goals, while Jeremy McGovern was a ruthless defender with 11 points.
Jack Darling scored four goals and Oscar Allen three, but Josh Kennedy (1.3) was rusty in his injury return.
Ruck rookie Tom Hickey caught up with last week's calm plunge with 20 wins, 18 possessions and eight marks in his first Eagles home game.
The West Coast rolled out its premier flag with training before the match, the Eagles mascot flipping around the stadium roof before making his way to the center of the oval with the flag attached. .
The Eagles players were very motivated, knowing that Kennedy, Chris Masten and Shannon Hurn were celebrating milestones.
But it was GWS who controlled the early stages.
Whitfield was unstoppable in the first term with 12 transfers, and continued his second-term offensive as the crippling Giants' running style seemed set to tear the game apart.
But their inability to make the most of their advance came back to haunt them, while the West Coast finished the second quarter with a blitz on goals that took a lead of 28 points in half.
GWS entered the long break knowing that he had scored only three goals over 36 years.
By contrast, West Coast started eight goals out of 23, an efficiency that made the difference.
The offensive west coast marking power also caused problems with GWS.
The Giants' hopes of returning in the third quarter were canceled by two separate 50m penalties that cost them goals.
And when Dom Sheed relived his final glory with a goal from the pocket, West Coast headed for the final break with a 31-point lead and the match in the bag.
©AAP2019
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