Where and when: People First Stadium, Sunday, April 28, 1:00pm
TV: Delayed on 7 in WA (230pm), live on Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo
Last time we met: West Coast 6.7 (43) def. by Gold Coast 16.17 (113) at Optus Stadium, round nine, 2023.
The Eagles were torched by the red-hot Suns during a blistering eight-goal second quarter which turned the match from a contest at quarter-time to a one-sided affair. Bullocking midfielder Matt Rowell dominated for the visitors with 29 possessions, 17 tackles and a goal, while stand-in skipper Liam Duggan (32 disposals) led all comers for touches and Oscar Allen was the depleted Eagles’ only multiple goalkicker with two majors.
What it means for the Eagles: The opportunity to continue some exciting and positive momentum built up over the past three weeks. West Coast has shown strong signs of a new identity in back-to-back victories and a fighting loss to Sydney in Gather Round, and will need to be at their best around the contest against Damien Hardwick’s hungry and hard-working Suns outfit. There is no longer trip in football than to Gold Coast from Perth and the youthful Eagles’ effort and intensity will need to be up to match it with the Suns, who have won all three games at home this year against Richmond, Adelaide and Hawthorn.
The stat: The Eagles have won contested possessions by eight, 38 and 24 in the past three matches.
The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Matt Rowell
They are two of the competition’s most ferocious onballers who never shirk a contest, so watching Yeo and Rowell go head-to-head, which should happen at stages, looms as a mouthwatering battle to keep track of on Sunday. Rowell ranks No.1 in contested possessions (110) and clearances (57) in the AFL through six matches, with Yeo equal eighth (82) and third (49) respectively. Whichever team can get the edge around the coalface will go a long way towards winning, with wet weather and slippery conditions tipped for the 1pm bouncedown.
It’s a big week for: Liam Ryan. Back in the AFL side after multiple hamstring tendon operations since he first went down in a freak marking contest during the destructive round thee RAC Derby last year which caused carnage on the injury front for West Coast. The high-flier is expected to play in his customary forward role with Noah Long (hip) sidelined but could also flip to half-back if required after impressing in defence in two WAFL matches. It’s exciting to see the All-Australian star back in the blue and gold.
Big call: Reuben Ginbey to relish more opportunities in the centre square in the absence of rested young gun Harley Reid, and the wet conditions, by racking up career-highs for disposals (currently 22) and clearances (six).
