Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, August 7, 2.10pm
TV: Live on Ch7 in WA, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.
Last time we met: Adelaide 13.10 (88) def. by West Coast 8.9 (57) at Adelaide Oval, round 12, 2022
Giving up a five-goal headstart to the home side proved to be too big a mountain to climb for the Eagles, but the second half of this game has often been referenced as a turning point for West Coast’s season by coach Adam Simpson. Although wins haven’t exactly flowed, the Eagles have been a much more competitive line-up since winning the last two quarters against the Crows, when the side started to show some improved adherence to the way they want to play. Star ball-winners Andrew Gaff (30 disposals, one goal), Luke Shuey (27) and Tim Kelly (24) were the prime movers, while Jack Darling kicked a couple of goals in the last game before the club’s mid-season bye.
What it means for the Eagles: It’s not every day you get the chance to send off a club legend in style and West Coast’s players will be determined to play well in the star spearhead's farewell match.
The stat: Kennedy has played in more wins against Adelaide (12) than any other club except Melbourne (14). He has also tasted victory over Essendon a dozen times.
The match-up: Josh Kennedy v Jordon Butts
One is a champion 34-year-old, 292-game and 715-goalkicker and the man tasked with stopping him could be Adelaide’s 22-year-old former rookie preparing for his 41st game. Butts faces an unenviable task at the Optus Stadium cauldron trying to curtail the bearded Eagle who the big crowd will be hoping as a day out one last time before hanging up the boots.
It’s a big week for: Josh Kennedy
It has been a huge week for the champion Eagles, who will retire after Sunday’s game as West Coast’s all-time leading goalkicker, a dual Coleman medallist, three-time All-Australian and, of course, a premiership player. Since Kennedy announced his retirement on Tuesday, praise has flowed from across the AFL landscape for the 34-year-old and it will be an emotion-charged goodbye to the blue and gold faithful.
Big call: Kennedy to kick four goals to move ahead of St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt (718) and climb one rung higher on the VFL/AFL all-time goalkicking list.
