Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, July 27, 6:10pm

TV: Live on 7mate in WA, Fox Sports and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met: West Coast 16.9 (105) defeated Fremantle 10.8 (68) at Optus Stadium, round six, 2024.

West Coast delivered one of the great upsets last time these two teams met, defeating Fremantle by 37 points earlier in the season. It was one of the Eagles’ best performances in years, with young recruit Harley Reid starring with 19 disposals, seven clearances and a career-high three goals. Elliot Yeo produced a best-on-ground performance of 26 disposals, six clearances and a goal to be awarded the Glendinning-Allan Medal, defenders Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass were outstanding in the air with a combined 20 marks, and Jake Waterman finished with five goals.

What it means for the Eagles: While West Coast produced a spirited showing in the round 18 loss to Brisbane at Optus Stadium, what followed was a performance they would be wanting to forget, falling to St Kilda by 72 points at Marvel Stadium last Saturday. In what has been a season of inconsistencies for a young and developing West Coast side, they tasted success in the last RAC Derby and will hopefully draw inspiration from that win and put on an exciting display on Saturday.

The stat: Tom Barrass has taken 40 intercept marks in the defensive 50 this season so far, ranked No. 1 in the AFL.

The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Caleb Serong

While it may not be a direct head-to-head match-up, the welcome return of experienced midfield bull Elliot Yeo will definitely play a pivotal part in keeping Fremantle star Caleb Serong under control around the ground. Serong is averaging an elite 30.4 disposals and 7.7 clearances for the season and the 23-year-old All-Australian was dominant against the Eagles last time these two teams met, managing 27 touches, six marks and six tackles in a losing side.  

It’s a big week for: The whole team

The Eagles need to make amends for last weekend’s disappointing loss to the Saints, and the whole team will be required to lift and play their roles to the best of their ability. Last round was the first time on record that West Coast failed to lay a forward 50 tackle during the match, and the team needs to come out firing against Fremantle and show some improvements across the board.

Big call: Tom Barrass will kick a goal in his 150^th game, the star defender having kicked just one goal (round 1, 2022) in his 149 games to date.

Milestone: Tom Barrass 150 games, Jake Waterman 100 games.