Where and when: Metricon Stadium. Saturday, June 13 (5.40pm AWST)
TV: Live on 7 Mate, Fox Sports 3, Kayo and the official AFL app
What it means for the Eagles: It’s been a huge week in the history of the club, relocating 40 players and 30 staff to the Gold Coast in order to help the AFL restart season 2020. To say it was a monumental task would be a gross understatement, but it will all be worth it if the squad notches a win against Gold Coast on Saturday. A victory would send a signal to the competition that the Eagles are settled in their hub environment and focused on the task at hand in a shortened season.
The stat: Powerhouse Eagles forward Josh Kennedy possesses an imposing record against the Suns. In his nine outings against Gold Coast, the dual Coleman medallist has bagged 42 majors, averaging 4.66 per outing. His best haul against the team from the Sunshine State’s south east corner was eight goals in round 23, 2014. If he runs wild against the Suns on Saturday, look out.
The matchup: Nic Naitanui v Jarrod Witts
Make sure to keep an eye on the battle of the big men at Metricon Stadium. Naitanui will want to hit the ground running following a dominant performance (23 hitouts, 13 disposals) against Melbourne Goliath Max Gawn in round one, but Witts won’t make it easy for him. Gold Coast’s 2019 Best and Fairest winner has been on a tear since assuming co-captaincy of the Suns. He averaged a staggering 45.7 hitouts, 14.6 disposals and 5.0 clearances last year. But, as we well know, Naitanui is a competitive beast and arguably the best clearance ruckman in the game. It’s going to be an enthralling and pivotal clash.
It’s a big week for:
Brad Sheppard, who is in pole position to get the job on Gold Coast livewire Alex Sexton. If Sheppard can put the shackles on Sexton, it will go a long way to helping West Coast notch its first win from its ‘home away from home’.
Big call: Small forward Jamie Cripps revels in the wet conditions and kicks four goals.