Where and when: Optus Stadium, Friday, April 15, 5.40pm
TV: Live on 7mate in Perth, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.
Last time we met: Sydney 18.10 (118) def. West Coast 3.8 (26) at GMHBA Stadium, round 16, 2021
The Swans’ home game was moved from the SCG due to COVID-19 restrictions and played at Geelong’s home ground, a particularly challenging venue for the Eagles this century, and the result was a horrible 92-point defeat. West Coast only kicked three goals and – with a number of underdone players - were gone by half-time when trailing by 61 points on a dirty day at the Cattery.
What it means for the Eagles: West Coast got its first win on the board with a stirring upset of Collingwood last round, but this is the most important game for the year so far as it presents a chance for the Eagles to gather some momentum. Making another seven changes is far from ideal from a continuity and synergy standpoint, but the Eagles are back on their home turf and will be confident of competing against Sydney, which sits in sixth spot on the ladder with a 3-1 win-loss record.
The stat: The Eagles have played the Swans at five different venues in the past six encounters – GMHBA Stadium, Metricon Stadium, the SCG, Optus Stadium and Subiaco Oval.
The match-up: Jackson Nelson v Isaac Heeney
Nelson has become West Coast coach Adam Simpson’s preferred shutdown exponent and went to Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw with good effect in the opening half of the RAC Derby two weeks ago. If the Eagles decide to send a ‘cooler’ to any Swan it could be Isaac Heeney, who has starred this season and was the difference late in Sydney’s narrow win over North Melbourne last round. Heeney has booted 11 goals from four games this year – including five in round two against Geelong - and is averaging 20 disposals, showing the damage he can do. Nelson’s ability to follow the star Swan wherever he roams makes the determined Eagle an ideal candidate for the important role.
It’s a big week for: Jamie Cripps
There is the not-so-small matter of his 200th AFL game to celebrate, but given his laid-back personality that milestone might not matter as much to Cripps as the simple fact he is back on the park playing with his mates again. There was a collective groan at Mineral Resources Park when the underrated half-forward went down with a torn pectoral during match simulation work in February, but the 29-year-old’s recuperative powers are impressive and he is back for a huge Friday night contest – the first time he has played alongside exciting duo Willie Rioli and Liam Ryan since the 2019 elimination final win over Essendon.
Big call: Rioli, Ryan and Cripps to combine for nine goals in a dangerous West Coast forward line
