Where and when: SCG, Saturday, June 24, 4.35pm (2.35pm AWST)
TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo
Last time we met: West Coast 9.4 (58) def. by Sydney 18.13 (121) at Optus Stadium, round five, 2022
Coming off a rousing upset of Collingwood on the road, the understrength Eagles entered the clash optimistic but were blown off the park early. Sydney kicked the first eight majors to kill the contest, before a five-goal final term for the blue and gold limited the scoreboard damage to 63 points at the full-time siren. Sydney’s midfield ran riot, dominating the inside 50 count 65-29. Liam Duggan (25 disposals) and Jack Redden (20, one goal) stood tall while Liam Ryan kicked three goals on a dirty night at Optus Stadium.
What it means for the Eagles: While the first half of the season did not go to plan, the Eagles had the chance to reset over the bye and are keen to produce some improved performances on the run home, starting against the Swans. Eagles leaders Tom Barrass and Liam Duggan are huge inclusions, and some more experience around the team should benefit the developing youngsters as they attempt to grab the opportunities in front of them.
The stat: This will be just the fifth clash with the Swans at the SCG since the Eagles’ famous one-point Grand Final triumph over Sydney in 2006, with the hosts winning the previous four encounters by an average margin of almost 38 points.
The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Chad Warner
The tight confines of the SCG usually makes for contested football and whichever team gets on top physically will hold a significant advantage. Yeo is the Eagles’ raging bull and appears set for a return to the midfield after being asked to stand star Crows key forward Taylor Walker last round to help cover for a depleted backline. The two-time Club Champion’s contested possession rate (44.6) narrowly shades Warner (42.6), the Swans' gun who also poses an attacking threat and averages an elite 1.5 shots at goal per game for a midfielder. Yeo looms as the ideal match-up with his defence-first mindset and it will be an intriguing battle in the centre square between the two East Fremantle products as they fight to give their team first possession.
It’s a big week for: Jack Williams
It has been more than a year since the strapping teenager made his AFL debut in a remarkable round two loss to North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium best remembered for the Eagles calling up COVID contingency players in order to field a team. Williams was barely 18 at the time, but should be better prepared for his second taste of the big time. The 198cm forward-ruck has played the past three games in the WAFL after returning from a ruptured spleen that derailed his impressive pre-season and will look to offer some more marking power and a back-up ruck option at the SCG.
Big call: Mid-season rookie draft pick Ryan Maric booted two goals on debut against Adelaide and will go one better at the SCG.
