What’s On | Round 8
West Coast Eagles v Essendon
Saturday, May 4| 6.10pm (AWST) | Optus Stadium / Whadjuk
Gates open 4.00pm

Be there as the excitement continues at Optus Stadium this Saturday, when we take on Essendon from 6.10pm in round 8 of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season! Don't miss Auzzie the Eagle in her pre-match flight around the stadium at 5.50pm.

Help us take back the wave from Essendon!

We want to take back the wave, made famous by Kevin Sheedy back in 1993 – before the bounce and after every Eagles goal, stand up and wave your scarf!

Foodbank

This match day, the West Coast Eagles are proudly partnering with Foodbank WA to support families affected by food stress. With your help, we can provide food to West Aussie’s in need. Donate online now, or visit the Fan Zone inside Gate D, and other locations around the stadium to see our Foodbank Volunteers to purchase your Foodbank Hunger Ghrelin and make your donation!

WAFLW Curtain Raiser

Gate D will open from 3.00pm as WA's Kia Women’s State Team take on the South Australian National Football League Women’s team in a landmark Women's State Game. The match will showcase top talent of our WAFLW against SA's finest, from 3.15pm. Please note, all patrons must hold a valid ticket to the West Coast Eagles v Essendon match to enter Optus Stadum for the curtain raiser WAFLW match.

Watch live and free.

Public Transport

Remember to plan your journey ahead of Saturday with Transperth’s Journey Planner, and please click here for further information. Event buses will operate post-match.

Public Transport is included in the cost of your match day ticket, with free travel on Perth’s buses and trains three hours either side of the match. If asked, please show your ticket to the driver or inspector.

Please note, the Armadale/Thornlie train line is closed until mid-2025. Suburban Event Buses will run to and from Optus Stadium, and trains will continue to operate between Victoria Park and Perth Stations, including Stadium Station. Information on changes to Optus Stadium special event services can be found here.

In particular, new arrangements apply to the arrival point of some bus routes from Morley and Mirrabooka, and the City Stadium shuttle has been replaced by the Red CAT.

Optus Stadium Reusable Beer Cup Trial

Please note, Optus Stadium will be trialing several reusable beer cups over rounds 7 to 13, to support sustainability and fan experience. Selected bar outlets 124, 131 and 136 (Western Arc behind the goals) will provide patrons with their beer in a reusable cup, for $0.30 extra per cup. For a list of frequently asked questions, please visit the Optus Stadium website.

Fan Zone Location for 2024

Head to the western concourse on level 1 (inside Gate D) from 4.00pm for some great kids’ and family activities!

Meet and greet with available players from 5.10pm to 5.40pm in a pre-match signing session, test your footy skills on the handball targets, enjoy face painting, the roaming magician and giveaways from Triple M. Get creative in making your own sign to cheer on the team and high-five our mascots Rick and Rosie!

Check out the V Energy DJ container at the bus hub near the Southern Oval from 4.00pm, or visit the chill out zone.

Fan MVP

Want to win a $100 voucher to the West Coast Eagles SuperStore? Simply vote for your MVP of the match to be in it to win it! Winners are chosen each week, so don’t forget to vote after we take on Essendon.

SuperStore Click and Collect at Optus Stadium

‘Click and collect’ orders will be available from Gate C at Optus Stadium this match day, from 4.00pm until quarter-time. When placing your online order at the West Coast Eagles SuperStore, select Optus Stadium Game Day click and collect at checkout (available until 12noon (AWST) on Thursday, May 2; identification is required upon collection).

Vaping and Smoking

Vaping and smoking are not permitted anywhere in Optus Stadium or on concourses. Offending patrons risk immediate eviction.

Contactless Payment

All food and beverage outlets at Optus Stadium now accept payment by credit or debit card only. If you do not have access to credit or debit card, cash can be exchanged for a complimentary ‘Cash Card’ via Cash Exchange points located around the stadium. Optus Stadium event day staff will direct you to the nearest Cash Exchange point at the stadium. For more information, please click here.

Mobile Ticketing

Tickets for Reserved Seat members are now available to download in the official West Coast Eagles App.

Avoid match day delays by downloading the official West Coast Eagles app and logging in to your West Coast Eagles account now, ahead of Saturday’s match. We strongly recommend not to leave this until the last minute, in case you encounter problems, and to save your tickets to your phone wallet to ensure no delays.

Click here for troubleshooting tips if you experience issues accessing your tickets.

Instructions on how to use mobile ticketing are available here, and instructions on how to forward your ticket to a family member or a friend are available here.

The West Coast Eagles Membership Services team will be available at the box offices B, C, and E from 4.00pm on Saturday to answer any questions; however, please arrive early if you think that you may require assistance with your tickets.

If you have any issues with your tickets, please attend the match and the Membership Services team will assist; there is no need to miss the match solely because of a ticket issue.

Seat Return Program

Can’t make it to the match? Our Seat Return Program is available now for all fixtured home matches of the 2024 season. If your seat successfully sells, you’ll receive a credit towards your 2025 membership renewal.

For more information, including a step-by-step guide to returning your seats, please click here.

Credits will not apply if your seat does not sell, or if you do not attend and do not return your seat.

Social Media

Go behind the scenes and catch all the game day action via our Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram channels!

Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, May 4, 6:10pm

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

Last time we met: West Coast 11.6 (72) defeated by Essendon 10.13 (73) at Marvel Stadium, round 21, 2023.

The last time we met, the West Coast Eagles were within seconds of pulling off a stunning comeback victory at Marvel Stadium. The Eagles were brave in defeat, overcoming a 30-point margin in the third term, a goal from young forward Ryan Maric giving the boys in the blue and gold a five-point lead with 80 seconds left on the clock. But unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, with Essendon’s Kyle Langford kicking his fifth goal for the game in the dying seconds, securing the four points for the Dons. Jeremy McGovern, Jayden Hunt, Tom Cole and Alex Witherden, in his 100th game, were outstanding in defence. Oscar Allen was a constant threat in attack, along with Jack Darling and Maric, and the energy of youngsters Elijah Hewett, Noah Long, Luke Edwards, Brady Hough and Campbell Chesser was important.

What it means for the Eagles: West Coast has won its past two games at home, and despite last round’s result against the Suns, will be coming into this game with the confidence of the home ground advantage behind them, and the Eagles faithful ready to roar. Star midfielder Harley Reid will be a welcome inclusion back into the side, having been rested last week, while young recruit Harvey Johnston will make his AFL debut, the athletic mid bringing agility and evasiveness around the ground.

The stat: Jack Petruccelle attended a career-high 76% of centre bounces last round, finishing with 14 disposals, six inside 50s and a team-high 10 tackles.

The match-up: Jake Waterman v Ben McKay

In the forward line, Jake Waterman will likely come face to face with big Bomber Ben McKay. Jake has been in outstanding form, having already kicked a career-high 21 goals from just seven games so far in 2024, and he will want to keep that form rolling. Down back, elite Eagles defender Tom Barrass will have his hands full with Essendon key forward Peter Wright, who played his first game back last weekend following a lengthy suspension and will be raring to put some numbers on the scoreboard for the Dons.

It’s a big week for: Jack Darling

Goalkicking great Darling will be honoured with AFL Life Membership after he reaches 300 official matches this weekend. Darling is set to play his 285th premiership match, in addition to 15 pre-season appearances in blue and gold, on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.

Big call: Jake Waterman is averaging 3.6 goals across his last five games, ranked number one in the league, and after his four-goal haul against the Suns last week, he will kick another four this week and take top spot on the 2024 Coleman Medal leaderboard.

Milestone: Midfield bull Elliot Yeo will play his 200^th AFL game on Saturday night.

West Coast's fighting comeback bid fell short in a dramatic six-point loss to Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

While the Eagles rallied late and cut the margin to six points in the final two minutes, they were unable to get the final goal they needed in pursuit of a third victory for the year.

The Bombers stood up at crucial moments in the fourth quarter to seal the 11.11 (77) to 11.5 (71) win.

Further souring the defeat for the home team, star midfielder Elliot Yeo looked to suffer a groin injury late in the third quarter of his 200th match in a concerning sign given his history of groin issues. 

Young star Harley Reid sent a scare through the camp when he pulled up and grabbed at his right hamstring, coming from the ground, but he was able to return to the field late as the Eagles surged forward.  

Emerging tall forward Jack Williams (three goals) had his best game for the club, while star midfielder Tim Kelly (29 disposals) was huge in the second half and Jake Waterman (three goals) continued his stellar form.

Co-captain Liam Duggan and gun defender Jeremy McGovern were also outstanding, as they have been all season leading a young side.

Young midfielder Reuben Ginbey was also impressive and Jack Darling booted two goals on a night he achieved AFL Life Membership.

The Bombers can thank the cool head of their brilliant captain Zach Merrett and a clutch 50m goal on the boundary from Kyle Langford for sealing the important win. 

Merrett was outstanding with 29 disposals and three goals, leading a deep midfield that was also well served by Darcy Parish (36 and six clearances) and Sam Durham (25 and seven clearances). 

Martin was a thorn in the Eagles' side at half-back with 32 disposals, eight marks and six rebound 50s, lifting as he often does against the team he trialled with during the 2021 pre-season. 

The pattern for Essendon's midfield ascendency was set early as it controlled clearances 13-5 in the first quarter and kicked its two goals from the source, building a 10-point lead at the first break. 

A big contested mark and set shot goal from Waterman had been the Eagles' only early highlight, and they turned again to their in-form forward, who flushed a brilliant set shot from outside 50m to start the second term. When Yeo matched that effort minutes later, West Coast had an unlikely lead. 

The Bombers responded with their best 10-minute period for the half, however, kicking four unanswered goals as their midfielders did as they liked again and their opponents turned the ball over far too frequently. 

When Durham shook Reid at a forward 50 stoppage to snap a neat goal, Essendon was 21 points clear and looked comfortably the better side going into the second half. 

West Coast's best period on the game was still to come, however, and it found another gear through the third quarter to keep the contest alive, with Campbell Chesser seizing on Jake Kelly's error to convert on the goalline. 

Quite through the first half, Reid electrified the home crowd with a pair of fend-offs in the middle of the ground, shrugging off Merrett and Ben Hobbs to create a goal for Jack Darling and cut the margin to just four points. 

A pair of late goals to Essendon, including a brilliant dribble from the pocket from Merrett for his third, restored a 15-point margin at the last break.

West Coast had ample opportunities in the final quarter to peg that back, but a stunning 50m goal on the boundary from Langford against the run of play gave the Bombers enough breathing room late. 

WEST COAST           1.1   4.2   8.5   11.5 (71)

ESSENDON              2.5   7.6   10.8   11.11 (77) 

GOALS

West Coast: Waterman 3, J Williams 3, Darling 2, Chesser, B Williams, Yeo  

Essendon: Merrett 3, Langford 3, Wright 2, Durham, Duursma, Stringer

BEST  

West Coast: Waterman, Kelly, Duggan, McGovern, J Williams  

Essendon: Merrett, Parish, Durham, Martin, Langford, Perkins

INJURIES

West Coast: Long (knee), Yeo (groin) 

Essendon: Caldwell (calf tightness)

LATE CHANGES 

West Coast: Ryan Maric (illness) replaced in selected side by Dom Sheed 

Essendon: Nil 

SUBSTITUTES

West Coast: Harvey Johnston (replaced Noah Long at three-quarter time) 

Essendon: Ben Hobbs (replaced Jye Caldwell in the third quarter)

Crowd: 51,751 at Optus Stadium