Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Saturday, July 22, 2.10pm (12.10pm AWST)
TV: Delayed on 7 in WA until 3pm, live on Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo
Last time we met: West Coast 6.8 (44) def. by Carlton 23.14 (152) at Optus Stadium, round seven, 2023
It was the Charlie Curnow show as the reigning Coleman medallist and Carlton talisman bagged a career-best nine goals in a rout of the Eagles at Optus Stadium. A depleted West Coast was powerless to stop the rampaging Blues and Curnow took full toll against four different opponents in front of nearly 48,000 fans. Carlton dominated the key facets – notably disposals (452-285), inside 50s (56-34) and contested possessions (138-115). Tim Kelly (27 disposals), Liam Duggan (23), Jayden Hunt (23) and Xavier O’Neill (16, two goals) tried hard for the blue and gold on a tough night.
What it means for the Eagles: While the task ahead against an in-form Carlton will be a tough challenge, the Eagles have shown promise at home over the past month, largely due to the welcome return of senior leaders and the excitement of younger players finding their groove. West Coast is focused on improving slow starts, controlling game momentum and performing better on the road, and the Eagles will need to be at their best when they take on the Blues at Marvel Stadium.
The stat: This will be just the second time West Coast has played Carlton at Marvel Stadium in the past decade, most recently in round 20, 2019, when the Eagles defeated the Blues by 24 points.
The match-up: Tom Barrass v Charlie Curnow
Premiership defender Tom Barrass will have his hands full in what will be an exciting match-up with reigning Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow. It will be a chance at redemption for Barrass and his backline colleagues, who were the unwilling recipients of a nine-goal haul from Curnow in the teams’ last meeting. Curnow kicked three goals in Carlton’s heavy defeat over Port Adelaide last week and will be looking to add to his season tally. If Barrass can keep Curnow at bay on Saturday, it will go a long way to West Coast staying competitive.
It’s a big week for: West Coast’s youngsters
Swan Districts product Elijah Hewitt and Victorian mid-season rookie draftee Ryan Maric will play their first AFL games in Melbourne this week, in front of what is expected to be a loud and passionate Carlton crowd. It will also be just the second game in Melbourne for Noah Long, Campbell Chessa and Jack Williams.
Big call: Exciting West Coast forward Noah Long will kick four goals in his 14th AFL game.
