Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, August 26, 6:10pm
TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo
Last time we met: West Coast 8.4 (52) def. by Adelaide 27.12 (174) at Adelaide Oval, round 13, 2023.
It was a disappointing day out for the Eagles in their last clash with Adelaide, going down by 122 points at Adelaide Oval. In his 250th game, Adelaide’s Taylor Walker kicked 10 goals in a dominant display, leaving the Eagles with very few positives to take out of the game. Emerging Eagles ruck Bailey Williams stood tall with 35 hitouts, while mid-season rookie draftee Ryan Maric had an impressive debut, finishing with a team-high two goals. Elliot Yeo (30 disposals) and Tim Kelly (27) fought hard, with young midfielder Reuben Ginbey (19 disposals, seven tackles) also working well around the ball in a tough showing.
What it means for the Eagles: After a remarkable upset win over the Western Bulldogs last weekend, West Coast will be looking to draw on that momentum and energy and replicate it against the Crows for the team’s final game of the 2023 season. In what was an unexpected victory against an in-form Bulldogs, the developing Eagles squad demonstrated what they are capable of. Aside from the 101-point loss to Fremantle in round 22, the past four weeks have been encouraging for West Coast, with a five-point win over North Melbourne in round 20, a one-point loss to Essendon in round 21 and a seven-point win over the Bulldogs in round 22. The Eagles will want to finish strongly to not only propel themselves into a new season of growth and further development, but to honour retiring legends Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui as they step away from the game.
The stat: Jamie Cripps kicked a season-high five goals last weekend, and has kicked at least one goal in each of his last five games against Adelaide.
The match-up: Jeremy McGovern v Taylor Walker
All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern will have the tough task of keeping Adelaide’s Taylor Walker at bay on Saturday night. Walker currently sits in second place on the Coleman Medal leader board, his tally boosted by 10 goals the last time these two teams met. McGovern will need to bring his A-game and keep Walker from getting on a roll if the Eagles are going to stay competitive in the contest.
It’s a big week for: Retiring West Coast legends
Premiership-winning captain Shannon Hurn and current skipper Luke Shuey will lead the team out for the final time on Saturday in front of their family, friends and fans. The retiring stars will leave behind an everlasting legacy as first-class players, teammates, leaders and role models. ‘Bunga’ and ‘Boots’ will be savouring their final moments in the blue and gold and will leave it all out on the field, as they have done throughout their careers.
Big call: Shannon Hurn will farewell his career the way he started it, kicking at least one goal in his final game.
