Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, May 28, 5:32pm AWST
TV: Live on 7mate in Perth, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.
Last time we met: Western Bulldogs 13.20 (98) def. West Coast 6.7 (43) at Optus Stadium, round 15, 2021
The Western Bulldogs clinched a convincing win over the Eagles, toppling the home team by 55 points. A strong third quarter – including two goals in two minutes for Oscar Allen – kept West Coast’s comeback hopes alive, but it was eventually the Dogs who reigned victorious at Optus Stadium. Defensive stalwart Shannon Hurn was one of the best afield with an emphatic performance in the backline, while big men Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass did all they could to stop the onslaught of inside 50s, and finished the day with 15 intercepts between them.
What it means for the Eagles: An injury-hit West Coast has had the opportunity to blood the team’s younger cohort this season and will look to see improved performances from the likes of developing ruckman Callum Jamieson, exciting forward Isiah Winder and forward-turned-defender Jamaine Jones. Bolstered by senior spearhead in Josh Kennedy and experienced Samo-Petrevski Seton, the Eagles will be determined to compete against an in-form Bulldogs side.
The stat: The Eagles have been looking to improve their inside 50 count and did so against Greater Western Sydney last weekend, narrowly being beaten 48-44. They’ll need to compete in this area again this Saturday.
The match-up: Tom Barrass v Aaron Naughton
The Bulldogs’ Naughton has the ability to break open games and is averaging 2.5 goals per game across the season, but the Coleman fancy has yet to come up against Premiership defender Barrass. The Eagles will be relying on marking machine Barrass, who has saved goal aplenty this year and is averaging 7.3 spoils a game. Pair this with a 2.4 average of intercept marks this season and it’s looking to be a thrilling clash between these two big men.
It’s a big week for: Isiah Winder
After an impressive three-goal haul last weekend against the Giants, Winder will be looking to build on his form and further develop his forward craft alongside some of the competition’s best key forwards in returning Kennedy and All-Australian Jack Darling. Winder put on a show for Sir Douglas Nicholls Round last weekend and will look to back it up and further cement his spot in West Coast’s best 22.
Big call: Kennedy to boot 3+ goals on return.
