Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, March 26, 3.20pm
TV: Live on Ch7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo
Last time we met: GWS Giants 21.12 (138) def. West Coast 13.8 (86) at Giants Stadium, round 10, 2022
The efficient Giants were under stand-in coach Mark McVeigh for the first time and put the game to bed by half-time, taking a commanding 53-point lead into the main break after kicking 14 goals to five. West Coast fought back in an even second half but never made any inroads. Tim Kelly picked up a team-high 23 disposals with 10 clearances, while young forward Isiah Winder kicked three goals.
What it means for the Eagles: The opportunity to respond after a second quarter fadeout proved costly in the season-opening loss to North Melbourne. After being beaten up in the contest and around stoppages, expect West Coast to play a fiercer brand of football in the first home game of 2023.
The stat: The Eagles have won all three encounters with the Giants at Optus Stadium by 11, 52 and 12 points. West Coast holds a 5-1 win-loss record overall against GWS in Perth.
The match-up: Tom Cole v Toby Greene
The Giants’ new standalone captain – and his namesake Tom Green – were the differences as Greater Western Sydney launched a successful comeback mission from 31 points down against Adelaide in the opening round, and both shape as dangermen on Sunday. While Green racked up 37 disposals and added a goal, Greene kicked four majors (and four behinds) from 19 disposals to lead his side to a 16-point victory. Without natural match-up Elliot Yeo in the Eagles line-up, the task of curbing Greene’s influence could fall to dogged back pocket Tom Cole, but he’ll rely on those around him for plenty of assistance.
It’s a big week for: Jack Darling and Andrew Gaff
They were born just three days apart, were drafted to the club as part of the 2010 intake and have been great mates ever since, so it will be a special moment when they become the two Eagles to play the most games together on Sunday. In their 235th appearance as teammates, Darling and Gaff will move past club greats Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn, and could set an unbreakable record by the time their blue and gold careers come to an end.
Big call: Debutant Elijah Hewett to make an impact as the sub by kicking two second-half goals.
