Where and when: Optus Stadium, Friday, May 12, 6.40pm
TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo
Last time we met: Gold Coast 16.11 (107) def. West Coast 16.8 (104) at Metricon Stadium, round 20, 2022
A game of momentum swings came down to the final centre bounce after Jake Waterman converted a set shot with 38 seconds left on the clock and, although Nic Naitanui won the tap, the Suns swooped and rushed the ball forward for Malcom Rosas to seal the deal. Remarkably, there was still another goal to come, with Jamaine Jones slotting a major on the siren as the Eagles fell agonisingly short in Andrew Gaff’s 250th game for the club. Jack Darling bagged six-straight goals, while Tim Kelly won 28 touches and seven clearances.
What it means for the Eagles: The Suns have been in good form with wins over North Melbourne and Richmond prior to a last-gasp loss to flag fancy Melbourne last round, so Stuart Dew’s men will be anything but pushovers. However, West Coast has a dominant home record over the expansion club and will be determined to give their crowd something to cheer about following a dire effort last time out at Optus Stadium against Carlton.
The stat: West Coast has won three of the four meetings between the clubs at Optus Stadium, with last season’s 27-point loss in round one the Eagles’ first defeat to the Suns from 10 games in Perth.
The match-up: Tom Barrass v Ben King
The big Sun is one of the form key forwards of the competition with 11 goals in the past three matches and looms large on Friday night. West Coast’s midfield will need to limit the quality and quantity of supply to help out their defenders, who in turn will need to work together to combat King and his sidekicks Jack Lukosius and Mabior Chol – the tall trio who combined for five majors against the Demons. Barrass was in fine touch against Richmond, holding veteran spearhead Jack Riewoldt goalless at the MCG last Saturday.
It’s a big week for: Liam Duggan
The understated but highly-regarded Eagle will lead the team into battle for the first time after coach Adam Simpson floated the idea of rotating the captaincy in Luke Shuey’s absence. Few Eagles are more consistent with their effort and attack on the football than Duggan, who is a key part of West Coast’s leadership group and has led from the front during a tough stretch on the field.
Big call: Hard-nosed mid Connor West has adapted to playing forward in the absence of several goalkicking regulars and we're backing him to kick multiple majors for the first time in his 25th game.
