Where and when: Optus Stadium. Sunday, August 23 (4.10pm AWST)
TV: Live on Fox Footy, Kayo and the official AFL app. Delayed 7mate broadcast starts at 7pm AWST.
What it means for the Eagles: Sunday’s clash with Greater Western Sydney could be West Coast’s last hurrah at Optus Stadium for 2020, so the boys will be eager to put on a show for their fans before making tracks to Queensland on Tuesday. West Coast will be desperate to start its run of five games in 18 days in winning fashion, especially considering it has matches against fellow top four contenders Richmond and St Kilda on the horizon.
The stat: The Eagles will be looking to extend two winning streaks on Sunday. The first is its run of seven straight wins in 2020, while the second is the club’s recent record against GWS; West Coast has won its past three clashes with the Giants dating back to Round 8, 2018. Our average winning margin in those past three clashes with Leon Cameron’s men has been a tick over 29 points.
The match-up: Andrew Gaff v Josh Kelly
Keep your calculator handy if you intend on keeping track of the possessions shared by Gaff and Kelly on Sunday. The pair are undoubtedly two of the game’s premier ball winners and both have the potential to swing the game in their team's favour. Gaff was outstanding against Hawthorn last week, amassing 33 disposals and four inside 50s, while Kelly did everything possible to get the Giants back in the game against Sydney with 31 possessions and seven kicks into the attacking arc. It will be intriguing to see how these two gut-running stars go about their business this weekend.
It’s a big week for: Jarrod Brander
The third-year Eagle will be eager to build on his momentum after producing arguably his best performance in blue and gold last week. Brander racked up 10 disposals, five tackles, three marks and two inside 50s playing a role that saw him feature in all three lines at stages throughout the contest. With confidence on his side, we’re expecting Brander to continue his rise in the club’s revered wings this weekend.
Big call: Liam Ryan soars to new heights in Sir Doug Nicholls Round and kicks a season-best four goals.
