Harvey AFL Watch: Brady Hough solid again as West Coast suffer nail-biting six-point loss to Essendon

Harvey product Brady Hough produced another solid performance as West Coast suffered a nail-biting six-point loss to Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night. The 21-year-old registered 15 disposals, took three marks, and laid two tackles as a late Eagles comeback fell just short, with the Bombers running out 11.11 (77) to 11.5 (71) winners. He rotated through a number of defensive assignments on the night, including spending time on dangerous mid-sized Bombers’ forward Kyle Langford. In his third season at AFL level, Hough is averaging 14.4 disposals and 4.9 marks per game and has impressed with his work on some of the league’s most dangerous forwards. Hough’s fellow Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault junior Clay Hall will face a nervous wait after being cited for rough conduct as West Coast’s reserves lost to East Perth by 74 points on Sunday. Injuries to Elliot Yeo, Noah Long and Jake Waterman may open some spots in the Eagles’ senior side, but any WAFL suspension for the 18-year-old would carry through to senior level. Hall finished with 17 disposals — 16 of them handballs — and two tackles against the Royals.