What’s On | Round 23
West Coast Eagles v Carlton
Sunday, August 18 | 2.40pm (AWST) | Optus Stadium / Whadjuk
Gates open 12.30pm

Our round 23 match against Carlton marks Member Thank You Round, when we celebrate the dedication and loyalty of you, our passionate members.

We also farewell Club champion, Andrew Gaff, at our last home match of the 2024 season.

12.30pm: Gates open
12.40pm - 2.40pm: Member Thank You Fan Zone
From 2.10pm: Auzzie’s pre-match flight
From 2.15pm: Member Guard of Honour
2.40pm: Bounce down
Quarter time: Gaff’s Disposal Dash
Half time: Meet Auzzie the Eagle in Fan Zone for a photo
Post-match: Player giveaways to lucky fans around the ground!

Member Thank You Round – Member Choice

This Sunday’s match against Carlton will be Member Thank You Round and, to celebrate, members have chosen many of our match day entertainment elements.

Over the past month, members have been asked to nominate:

• the team run-out song
• goal celebration songs for selected players
• music for the in-stadium DJ to play
• the victory song

The results of most of these competitions can be found below, although members will need to wait and see if the team wins, to hear which version of the club song won!

In addition, members were given the opportunity to write the banner message, with the winning message written by 35-year member, Vicki Birch, who has penned a fitting farewell to our home crowd for the season. Congratulations Vicki!

Run-Out Song

Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin

Player Goal Songs

• Liam Ryan – Touch the Sky by Kanye West (current)
• Jake Waterman – Chelsea Dagger by the Fratellis (current)
• Elliot Yeo – Fireball by Pitbull

Pre-Game Drinks & Free Snacks

Arrive early to beat the queues and join us inside the Stadium for your pre-game drinks on level 5 Eastern Scoreboard Terrace from 12.30pm! With rooftop views, $8 beer and wine, FREE gourmet bites, a live DJ, and the opportunity to chat with selected players, this will become your new pre-game go to!

Fan Zone

Head to the western concourse on level 1 (inside Gate D) from 12.30pm for some great kids’ and family activities as we celebrate Member Thank You Round.

Here are some of the things in store:

• Meet and greet selected members of our AFL squad from 1.30pm
• Flex your creative muscles and make your own friendship bracelet and sign to cheer on the team
• Want a photo with the team? Snap a photo in our Member Thank You photobooth
• Test your footy skills on the handball targets and reaction games
• Enjoy free face painting, wheelchair football, and a circus skills workshop

Public Transport

Remember to plan your journey ahead of Sunday 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 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.

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 Sunday’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 12.30pm on Sunday to answer any questions; however, please arrive early if you may need help 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 for anyone to miss the match solely because of a ticket issue – we are committed to resolving match day issues at the stadium.

Seat Return Program

Can’t make it to the match? Our Seat Return Program is available for round 23. 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.

Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, August 18, 2:40pm

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

Last time we met: West Coast 10.9 (69) defeated by Carlton 21.14 (140) at Marvel Stadium, round 19, 2023.

These two teams last met in round 19 last season, with the Blues securing a 71-point victory at Marvel Stadium. Charlie Curnow dominated, kicking a career-high 10 goals for Carlton after the home side got the jump on West Coast from the opening bounce, with a 57-point margin at the quarter-time break. Veteran wingman Andrew Gaff fought hard all day and finished with 30 disposals and a goal, while defender Alex Witherden managed 30 touches, and Liam Duggan had 27. Despite the scoreboard margin, a number of young Eagles showed promise including Campbell Chesser, Elijah Hewett and Noah Long.

What it means for the Eagles: The Eagles have a chance to record their third-straight victory, the first time doing so since 2021. Carlton have been struck down with injury woes, missing a number of their stars including Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, which opens the door for West Coast to come out firing and get one back against the Blues. The Eagles will also be wanting to send star wingman Andrew Gaff off on a high note and get a win for Jamie Cripps in his 250th AFL game. The team will be riding the momentum from last week’s win, and playing in front of their home fans, immersed in the incredible Optus Stadium atmosphere, they’re in with a fighting chance.

The stat: Jeremy McGovern is averaging a career-high 20.7 disposals this season, tallying more than 20 disposals in eight of his last nine matches.

The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Patrick Cripps

Carlton has lost some firepower in attack but the Blues' midfield remains stacked, led by Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps. The Northampton product will no doubt attempt to put the team on his shoulders and carry them to a finals-shaping victory, but West Coast's own midfield bull Yeo is as competitive as they come and will take some stopping himself. Whichever midfield gun gets on top could decide the outcome on Sunday. 

It’s a big week for: Andrew Gaff

Champion wingman Andrew Gaff will play his farewell game on Sunday, after 280 games in the blue and gold. Gaff has been an outstanding servant of the club since being drafted with selection No.4 in the 2010 draft. He was named the 2015 Club Champion, 2016 Player of the Finals, is a dual All-Australian and the all-time leading disposal winner for the club (7167).

Big call: Andrew Gaff will kick multiple goals in his final game in front of his home fans.

Milestone: Jamie Cripps 250^th AFL game

The West Coast Eagles suffered a disappointing 2024 home finale at the hands of Carlton on Sunday, falling by 65 points in a flat performance.

It was a swirly setting inside Optus Stadium, and while the rain held off for the most part, the blustery conditions and unforced errors made for some scrappy football.

Led by inspirational skipper Patrick Cripps, the Blues mastered the conditions, swamping the Eagles around the contest and pulling away to a 14.15 (99) to 4.10 (34) victory.

West Coast’s champion wingman Andrew Gaff fought hard in his farewell game, managing 25 touches and seven marks, but the team were unable produce a fairytale finish to what has been an outstanding career for the club’s all-time leading possession winner.

Elliot Yeo tried hard with a team-high 28 touches, nine tackles and seven clearances, while Jamie Cripps finished with a game-high 10 tackles and a goal in his 250^th game.

West Coast came out firing in the opening term, Jake Waterman kicking back-to-back goals to start the game in what was promising signs early.

The Blues responded strongly, knocking the wind out of West Coast’s sails and going on to kick the next six-straight majors, with Carlton superstar Cripps wreaking havoc around the ground and finishing with 35 touches and 10 clearances.

Carlton showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas, taking all the momentum and a lofty 31-point lead into the halftime break.

The Eagles brought spirit to start the third term, with milestone man Cripps kicking a much-needed goal for the home side, to the delight of the West Coast faithful.

Carlton continued to be hungrier around the contest, and responded through Zac Williams, before Matthew Owies kicked his second goal, extending the margin back out to 36 points.

West Coast were their own worst enemy at times with poor decision making and skill errors, and the Blues capitalised on every opportunity and took a 55-point lead into the final term.

A goal from Eagles speedster Jack Petrucelle – who started as the sub - gave the crowd something the cheer about, but it was ultimately a disappointing day out for the boys in blue and gold.

Brodie Kemp (four goals) and Matthew Owies (three) were damaging for Carlton on the scoreboard, and George Hewett managed 35 touches and 10 tackles in clinical display.

West Coast finishes the 2024 season at the Cattery against Geelong next Saturday.

Details

WEST COAST EAGLES          2.2     2.2      3.5      4.10 (34)
CARLTON BLUES                  2.4     6.9    11.12    14.15 (99)

GOALS 

West Coast: Waterman 2; Cripps, Petruccelle. Carlton: Kemp 4; Owies 3; Kennedy 2; Durdin, Williams, Motlop, Moir, Binns.

BEST

West Coast: McGovern, Reid, Edwards, Duggan, Yeo. Carlton: Cripps, Hewett, Kennedy, Owies, Kemp.

Crowd: 48,455 at Optus Stadium