Hey everyone, and welcome back to another footy blog from yours truly! It feels like ages since my last instalment, with us having a bye last round. I can’t imagine how much you all must have missed me.

So our last match was against the Lions at the Gabba, and it did not end well for ol’ West Coast. Only our second loss for the season, and by a measly two points! That was heartbreaking. So close, yet so far…

But that’s ok, eight wins and two losses is still a pretty good record. And they do say, you can’t win them all. As much as we’d like to. We’re staying positive, we’ve had 11 days off to reflect, focus and prepare for tonight, and the boys are ready and rearing to go.

Carlton has lost four out of their last five games and steadily slipped out of the top eight. With superstar Marc Murphy out as well, there’s a bit of pressure on Chris Judd to lift Carlton’s midfield, so I have no doubt that we’ll do everything we can to shut down the dual Brownlow medallist.

But, in an effort to be an objective bird, our squad has also taken a massive blow with the loss of tough nut Beau Waters. The vice-captain and seasoned pro is out due to suspension, and I reckon he will be sorely missed. He is an inspiring man, that Mr Waters.

But when one door shuts, a window opens! Or when God shuts a door, he opens a window…. Or something like that. I don’t remember exactly how the saying goes, but basically in this analogy which I have very wisely used, Beau Waters is the door and Luke Shuey is the window.

Yes, the midfield magnet and all-round general superstar Luke Shuey is back after a week on the sideline, a very welcome addition to the team. I rarely see Luke make a mistake, the kid is brilliant and I think has the ability to bust open a game quicker than Chuck Norris can bust open someone’s face. It’s a big call, but I’m gonna say it - I think the team will lift because of his presence.

So, after hitting you with all that wisdom, my prediction is this - it’s going to be a ferocious game. West Coast - Carlton matches are always intense, for obvious reasons. Carlton will be desperate to claw their way back in to the top eight. And West Coast will be trying to make up for their unexpected loss to the Lions. And all of that, teamed with the fact that today’s disgusting weather is looking more characteristic of Glasgow than Perth, I am predicting a bit of messy but intense game full of desperation and ferocity. And a victory for the Eagles. By 23 points. Nice and specific for y’all.

Let me know what you guys reckon!

See you tonight at the game, and don’t forget your raincoat.

Rick