Where and when: GMHBA Stadium, Sunday, July 4, 1.10pm (11.10am AWST)
TV: Live on Fox Footy and Kayo, delayed on 7Perth until 2pm.
Last time we met: West Coast 11.11 (77) def. Sydney 6.7 (43) at Metricon Stadium, round five, 2020
The Eagles snapped a three-game losing skid in the Gold Coast hub with Nic Naitanui dominating the ruck and bullocking mid Elliot Yeo showcasing his inspirational contested work. But it was the inclusion of youngsters Oscar Allen (three goals) and Jake Waterman (two) that helped ignite the stuttering side, and the latter’s long bomb after the quarter-time siren marked a turning point. Unfortunately, the victory was soured by hamstring injuries sustained by Luke Shuey and Jamaine Jones.
Form: (most recent first)
Sydney LLWWL
West Coast LWWLL
What it means for the Eagles: Forget any talk of ending a GMHBA hoodoo, the objective is simple for West Coast this Sunday: crack in and earn back some respect. The loss to the rampant Western Bulldogs at home was shocking from the outset and could easily have been heavier than 55 points. Yes, finals spots are getting tight on the run home, but this week is simply about rebounding with a four-quarter effort from 22 players against another high-quality opponent.
The stat: GMHBA Stadium will become the eighth stadium to host clashes between these two great rivals, joining the SCG, Subiaco, WACA, Stadium Australia, MCG, Optus Stadium and Metricon Stadium.
The match-up: Nic Naitanui v Tom Hickey
During his two seasons as an Eagle, big man Tom Hickey proved a more-than-handy acquisition and his 2019 campaign when he played 20 games while Naitanui was recovering from a second knee reconstruction would rank among his best. But the journeyman is arguably in career-best form after moving to the Swans in a win-win trade for both clubs, and will know Naitanui’s game inside-out. With the midfield battle sure to be pivotal at the skinny GMHBA Stadium, the ruck duel will be decisive, and West Coast will be hoping Naitanui can continue the run of form which sees him as the leading candidate for back-to-back club champion awards.
It’s a big week for: Nathan Vardy
Back in the side for his first game since round seven, the former Cat will return to familiar surrounds and be keen to exert an influence as Naitanui’s back-up, as West Coast continues to weight the pros and cons of playing two genuine big men.
Big call: Small forwards Zac Langdon and Jamaine Jones to combine for five goals and 10 tackles on return to the side to help cover for the absence of Liam Ryan (suspension).
