But Sunday’s match holds significance for other reasons. The West Coast v Sydney match at Patersons Stadium this weekend will be the third annual HMAS Sydney II commemorative trophy match; an initiative of the AFL, the former Finding Sydney Foundation and the Royal Australian Navy.
The match is held in memory of the 645 men who died when the HMAS Sydney II was sunk in 1941 and takes place annually between West Coast and Sydney - representing the ship’s home port of Sydney, and the state of her final resting place, WA.
The two teams will be playing for the HMAS Sydney II trophy, which has been produced to represent a ships battle honour board.
Before West Coast and Sydney take to the field, a curtain raiser match will take place on Patersons Stadium between a navy personnel team and a combined forces (army and air force) team. With both sides getting more competitive as the week goes on, this curtain raiser match promises to be just as exciting as the one it precedes.
Volunteers from Legacy, a charity which provides assistance to Australian families who have lost loved ones serving time in the defence force, will be around the ground collecting donations, so the West Coast Eagles are encouraging members and fans to show their generosity.
To learn more about Legacy, click here.
