Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, May 29, 5.40pm
TV: Live on 7, Fox Footy and Kayo
Last time we met: West Coast 9.6 (60) d. Essendon 6.9 (45) round 15, 2020 at the Gabba
In their third game in nine days, the Eagles carved out a gutsy 15-point triumph in a slog in greasy conditions on a Tuesday night at the Gabba. Liam Ryan was the hero with four majors – including the first of the game from the opening bounce – as West Coast bounced back from a 27-point loss to Richmond. The only downside was Luke Shuey’s double hamstring strain which kept him out until the elimination final against Collingwood.
Recent form (last game first):
West Coast: LWWWL
Essendon: WWLLW
What it means for the Eagles: Going down in a close-fought contest at Giants Stadium last week added to the importance of protecting the Optus Stadium fortress, where West Coast is unbeaten in 2020 and has won 13 of the past 14 games. West Coast still has a one-win buffer ahead of the eighth-placed Giants, Richmond and Fremantle and must get the job done at home to get the season back on track.
The stat: Liam Ryan’s eight career majors against the Bombers is second only to his nine against the Western Bulldogs.
The match-up: Tim Kelly v Darcy Parish
West Coast’s smooth-moving onballer has enjoyed a fine second season in blue and gold, and while the Eagles’ engine room will welcome back two-time club champion Elliot Yeo, they will still require another strong performance by Kelly to combat the Bombers’ talented engine room. Free agent Zach Merrett has garnered most of the headlines this year but emerging gun Darcy Parish has been in rare form, averaging nearly 37 disposals in the past three weeks. Kelly has had a huge month with returns of 42, 25, 31 and 22 possessions and will be keen to exert an influence on Saturday night in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
It’s a big week for: Elliot Yeo
No surprises here, with the midfield star set for his first AFL appearance in 293 days following his frustrating battle with osteitis pubis. After such a lengthy lay-off fighting the debilitating issue, Yeo isn’t expected to set the world on fire but if he can play a role bringing his trademark grunt, tackling intent and pressure to the contest in managed minutes it will provide a big boost.
Big call: Full-back Tom Barrass to ensure Bombers big man Cale Hooker doesn’t add to his tally of 24 majors (10th in the AFL) in another shutdown job from the star Eagles defender.
