Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, April 29, 5.30pm

TV: Live on 7mate in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met: West Coast 8.5 (53) def. Carlton 17.14 (116) at Optus Stadium, round 17, 2022

It was a strange game last year as Carlton sprinted to a 34-0 lead by the first change, before West Coast sprung into action and drew within 10 points at the long break, courtesy of a seven-goal second term. The third stanza became an arm wrestle before the Blues got on top and kicked seven goals to no score in the last to romp to an easy victory. Big forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow both kicked five majors for the visitors, while Andrew Gaff led all comers with 30 disposals and 502 metres gained.

What it means for the Eagles: Fans can see the growth of Adam Simpson’s emerging group despite a run of four-straight defeats and there are exciting signs for the future. However, the club wants to win games and that starts by sustaining effort across four quarters. West Coast has played three quarters of highly-competitive football against Geelong and Port Adelaide in consecutive weeks, now the challenge is to stay in the game when Carlton has momentum and attempt to notch a second victory for the year in front of the raucous blue and gold army.

The stat: The Eagles have won seven of the past eight clashes against the Blues, with last year’s defeat ending a winning streak stretching back to round two, 2015.

The match-up: Josh Rotham v Charlie Curnow

Carlton’s twin towers in attack – Harry McKay and Curnow – loom as the dangermen on Saturday night and in the absence of Jeremy McGovern (hamstring), Harry Edwards (wrist) and Elliot Yeo (groin) the task of curtailing Curnow could fall to Rotham in his 50th game in blue and gold. Curnow, the reigning Coleman medallist, sits second on the AFL goalkicking leaderboard with 21 majors and has the capability of tearing games apart. The same goes for McKay, who is likely to play deeper and have star West Coast full-back Tom Barrass to deal with. Veteran half-back Shannon Hurn will be needed for aerial support and his return after two weeks out couldn’t come at a better time.

It’s a big week for: Reuben Ginbey

Every week the young gun has had a big job and learning opportunity on the AFL's stars and there will be no bigger challenge than keeping an eye on Brownlow medallist, Carlton captain and fellow regional WA product Patrick Cripps at Optus Stadium. Cripps is coming off a 34-disposal, six-clearance performance against St Kilda and with the territory battle so crucial, limiting his influence will be critical for Ginbey and the Eagles. 

Big call: Samo Petrevski-Seton to star against his former team with a personal-best three goals.