Where and when: Giants Stadium, Sunday, May 23, 1.10pm (11.10am AWST)
TV: Live on Fox Footy and Kayo, delayed on Ch7 (3pm)
Last time we met: West Coast 9.7 (61) d. Greater Western Sydney 7.7 (49) round 13, 2020 at Optus Stadium
Chasing an eighth-straight win, the Eagles burst from the blocks and raced to a 27-0 lead by the first change. West Coast held the Giants to just one goal by half-time before the beaten 2019 Grand Finalists rallied, but the aerial work of Jeremy McGovern and Nic Naitanui was telling in a two-goal victory. Xavier O’Neill’s clever left-footed goal in the third term ensured it was a debut to remember for the young Victorian product as the Eagles held onto fourth spot on the ladder before heading east for a second hub stint.
What it means for the Eagles: This is a big game in the context of West Coast’s season. After three-straight wins, the Eagles are building momentum and in the thick of the battle for finals spots, however with four other teams also on six wins entering round 10 and Richmond breathing down the competition’s necks there’s little margin for error and any road victories will be invaluable.
The stat: After his five-goal haul against Adelaide, star forward Jack Darling is closing in on third spot in West Coast’s all-time goalkicking list, now only seven majors behind Mark LeCras (441).
The match-up: Tim Kelly v Josh Kelly
Much of both teams' run of form is owed to their respective Kelly, with both star midfielders in ripping touch over the past month. West Coast's version has been elite in the club's three-straight wins, racking up 42, 25 and 31 disposals with a stack of score involvements showcasing how damaging he can be forward of centre. The Giants' Josh Kelly has averaged 28 touches and kicked four goals in the past three weeks, helping to ignite his side which is missing skipper Stephen Coniglio (ankle) and Matt de Boer (hamstring) from its engine room, and GWS is now viewed by many as the most likely contender to jump from outside the top eight into finals contention by the end of the season.
It’s a big week for: Shannon Hurn
Third time lucky for the 33-year-old Eagle who, after two calf setbacks, will surpass club legend Dean Cox as the sole games record holder in his 291st appearance. As coach Adam Simpson indicated during the week there will be no ‘lap of honour’ this time around after a couple of false starts, however the unflappable defender will be focused on nothing other than returning home with four crucial premiership points in the bank. High-flier Liam Ryan (pictured above) will also make his return in a welcome comeback for both All Australians, who have been out of action since round four.
Big call: Nic Naitanui to top his previous season-high eight centre clearances from the RAC Derby victory over Fremantle.
