In a tense Australian Football League clash at the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, West Coast Eagles’ young breakout defender Josh Lindsay has framed a narrow 10-point loss to Collingwood as a critical stepping stone for his young team’s long-term development, arguing that every hard-fought outing is building the foundation for future success.
The match marked a major milestone for Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury, and the Magpies looked set to deliver a blowout celebration early in the third quarter when they stretched their lead out to 29 points, seemingly on track to secure a comfortable win. But West Coast refused to fold, mounting a steady comeback that pulled the Eagles within three points late in the fourth quarter thanks to a major score from Jobe Shanahan. Collingwood’s Dan McStay and Nick Daicos ultimately slammed the door on the comeback, kicking late decisive goals to secure the 10-point win and preserve Pendlebury’s milestone celebration.
Despite leaving the MCG without four points, Lindsay, who earned an AFL Rising Star nomination earlier this season, said the four-quarter competitive showing proved how far the rebuilding Eagles have come week-to-week. “We’re probably a bit stiff not to get the result there, but I think our footy is building every week. We’re only getting better from here,” the 10-game veteran explained. “I think it’s just getting more games and experience. The more footy you play, you learn. If you can continue on playing footy, I’ve played 10 games so far and I’ve learned so much. Playing footy together is how I think we’re going to really build.”
The left-footed half-back has quickly emerged as one of West Coast’s most reliable ball handlers and elite kickers in his short senior career, a skill he attributes to a mix of natural instinct and intentional off-hours practice. “I think some of it comes natural but I work super hard on it,” Lindsay said. “Whether that’s before or after training, the more reps I can do the better I am going to get. I definitely say it’s hard work.”
While speculation could eventually see the young talent pushed further up the ground into the midfield, Lindsay said he is perfectly content honing his craft in his current half-back role alongside experienced leaders Liam Duggan and Liam Baker for now. “I love my role across half back, the boys give me such good confidence,” he said. “Whether down the track I do venture into the midfield, time will tell, but I am loving down back at the moment.”