Where and when: Adelaide Hills, Mt Barker, Saturday, April 6, 1:00pm (10:30am WST)

TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met:

West Coast 5.4 (34) def. by Sydney 31.19 (205) at the SCG, round 15, 2023.

It was carnage the last time these two teams met, with Sydney delivering the Eagles their biggest loss in club history. The Swans started strong from the get-go, kicking nine goals in the first term to West Coast’s one. The Eagles showed some fight in the second quarter, led by Luke Shuey and Tim Kelly, kicking three goals to Sydney’s five, but the floodgates opened for the Swans after half time, kicking 11 goals in the third and another six in the final term. Shuey (28 disposals, eight tackles) and Kelly (27 disposals, seven clearances and a goal) worked tirelessly all game, and Elliot Yeo (10 tackles) brought some pressure during the onslaught. 

What it means for the Eagles:

The last time the Eagles had a 0-4 start to the season was in 1989, a 35-year record the team would prefer to keep intact, but the bigger picture that fans want to see is continued progress on-field and a more competitive effort is required against Sydney. Supporters have seen encouraging signs from some emerging players: Harley Reid has shown plenty of promise in his first three games, while big-bodied midfielder Reuben Ginbey, key forward Jack Williams and defender Brady Hough are developing in front of our eyes. The energy that comes with the youngsters has been complemented by the experience and leadership of the older group, but the team needs to show better cohesion and connection around the ground, and hopefully, more productivity inside the forward half.

The stat:

Liam Duggan hit the target with all 17 kicks last round, took 10 marks, and won a team-high 15 uncontested possessions.

The match-up:

In the absence of Matt Flynn (knee) so far this season, Bailey Williams has reprised his primary ruck role and will be matching up with Sydney’s Brodie Grundy on Saturday. Grundy has struggled to recapture his All-Australian form in recent years, but has made a strong start to life at his third AFL club and Williams will have a tough task on his hands coming up against the seasoned Swan.

It’s a big week for:

West Coast’s forward line. In last week’s game against the Bulldogs, the team were able to get the ball inside their forward 50 a total of 51 times, yet the entries only converted to three goals on the scoreboard. If the team hopes to remain competitive against the Swans, they will need to see some reward for effort in front of goals this week from their forwards.

 Big call:

Jack Darling will kick three goals to equal Peter Sumich in second place on the club’s career goal-kicking list.

Milestone:

Jamie Cripps and Jack Darling will suit up for the 200th time as teammates on Saturday.

A spirited West Coast performance and an exciting display by rising star Harley Reid wasn't enough for the Eagles to overcome Sydney at Mt Barker on Saturday in Gather Round.

The Eagles produced a strong first-half challenge before the Swans pulled away for a 15.14 (104) to 11.12 (78) victory at Mount Barker on Saturday.

West Coast outscored an opponent in a quarter for the first time this season - kicking 5.6 to 3.2 in the second term - and held a narrow five-point lead at the main break.

But they were overrun in the second half as Sydney's class prevailed in front of 9225 fans.

No.1 draft pick Harley Reid was among West Coast's best and stood out with his strength and aggression around the contest.

He kicked his first AFL goal and finished with 18 disposals in another encouraging performance.

Eagles veteran Elliot Yeo (28 disposals, six clearances) and co-captain Liam Duggan (30 touches) battled hard while defender Jeremy McGovern fought on despite losing teeth in a collision with Braeden Campbell.

Duggan won the toss and chose to kick against a handy breeze that Sydney couldn't take full advantage of in the opening term.

The Swans had the first eight inside-50s but found themselves behind when Reid snapped truly and Cripps slotted a superb set shot from the boundary.

The Eagles' pressure was up throughout the first half and Reid's bullocking work was a highlight, as was Jack Petruccelle's huge mark on the back of teammate Maric.

Sydney added four goals to one with the breeze in the third quarter and a crucial 50m penalty against Reid - for encroaching in the protected area - allowed Hayward to give the Swans a 15-point buffer at the final change.

Local product Matt Roberts pounced to kick the opening goal of the last quarter and Sydney kept their opponents at arm's length from there.

Making matters worse for the Eagles, Luke Edwards was substituted out with a hamstring injury and Ryan Maric was taken to hospital with rib damage after he was cannoned into by teammate Jack Darling in a marking contest.

Isaac Heeney (26 disposals, seven clearances) and Errol Gulden (27, seven) stepped up at the right times for Sydney and kicked two goals each - a tally matched by Will Hayward, Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald.

James Rowbottom (19 disposals, six clearances) and Nick Blakey (25 touches) were also busy and Brodie Grundy was influential in the ruck as the Swans enjoyed a 44-32 advantage in clearances.

Grundy had a game-high eight of those himself along with 20 disposals and 31 hit-outs.

Heeney was awarded the HMAS Sydney II best afield trophy with the maximum nine votes from the three judges, ahead of Gulden (6), Yeo (2) and McGovern (1). 

WEST COAST    2.0     7.6     8.7        11.12 (78)
SYDNEY            3.5     6.7     10.10    15.14 (104)

GOALS
West Coast: Waterman 2, Cripps 2, Reid, Long, Hunt, Petruccelle, Maric, J.Williams, Kelly
Sydney: McDonald 2, Gulden 2, Hayward 2, Heeney 2, Amartey 2, Adams, Fox, Warner, McLean,  Roberts

BEST
West Coast: Yeo, McGovern, Reid, Duggan, Hough, Waterman
Sydney: Gulden, Heeney, Warner, Grundy, Rowbottom

INJURIES

West Coast: Luke Edwards (hamstring), Ryan Maric (ribs)
Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Loch Rawlinson (replaced Luke Edwards in the second quarter)
Sydney: Caleb Mitchell (replaced Taylor Adams in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 9225 at Adelaide Hills