Where and when: Optus Stadium, Friday, April 29, 6.10pm
TV: Live on 7mate in Perth, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.
Last time we met: West Coast 13.7 (85) def. Richmond 12.9 (81) at Optus Stadium, round 13, 2021
It was one of the Eagles’ most stunning home and away victories as club greats Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn led a spine-tingling comeback over the reigning premiers. From 22 points down in the fourth quarter, West Coast climbed off the canvas and mowed down Richmond, willed on by a raucous 50,834-strong Optus Stadium crowd. Kennedy kicked the match-winner from the boundary in the dying seconds, and Hurn twice marked on the last line of defence – once to start the chain that delivered the Sherrin to his great mate in attack, and finally to deny Tigers superstar Dustin Martin’s long-range attempt at stealing victory.
What it means for the Eagles: It goes without saying that the past two losses to Sydney and Port Adelaide have been well-below the acceptable standard and back in front of their home fans the Eagles need to reverse their slide before the seasons slips away. Richmond will be just as desperate after starting the season 2-4 – one win more than West Coast – and the Eagles need to lift their effort across the board to match Damien Hardwick’s men.
The stat: West Coast has beaten Richmond in both games at Optus Stadium, by four points last year and 47 points during the 2018 premiership campaign.
The match-up: Tom Barrass v Tom Lynch
When the Tigers have won this season Lynch has played well, kicking three goals against the Giants in round two and four to help Richmond overcome the Western Bulldogs two weeks later. The big man is always a threat – and has 14 majors to his name this season – but Eagles full-back Barrass has been in outstanding form in defence, albeit with more of the ball coming into his area than he would have liked. If he can keep Lynch on the leash it will go a long way to West Coast securing victory.
It’s a big week for: Greg Clark
It has been a long time coming for the 24-year-old whose journey resembled another Subiaco star Matt Priddis, who was overlooked year after year before earning his chance. It’s a bit early to predict Clark could reach the heights of the 2014 Brownlow medallist but everyone at West Coast has been impressed by his attitude and willingness to work hard since he was selected via pick 62 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft. Clark becomes the 12th Eagle to debut this year and has the mature body and footy nous to succeed at the top level.
Big call: Clark to collect 10 contested possessions on his AFL debut replacing midfield bull Elliot Yeo.
