Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, July 24, 2.35pm
TV: Live on 7 in Perth, Fox Footy and Kayo
Last time we met: St Kilda 15.12 (102) def. West Coast 13.4 (82), round four, 2021 at Marvel Stadium
In one of the most bitterly disappointing defeats in recent years, the Eagles led by 33 points early in the third quarter and appeared set for an important road victory before St Kilda turned the tables and stormed home. Relentless pressure and fast ball movement under the roof got the Saints back into the contest, with young tall Max King doing the damage up forward by booting five majors. Jack Petruccelle (four goals) and Nic Naitanui (seven clearances) tried their best but West Coast was thrashed in inside 50s (-17), contested possessions (-23) and clearances (-16).
Form: (most recent first)
West Coast WLLLW
St Kilda LWWWL
What it means for the Eagles: It’s an ‘eight-point game’ with massive top-eight implications. The Eagles are holding onto seventh spot but with four teams below – including 11th-placed St Kilda - only a win further back there is little margin for error on the run home. The Saints are making a late charge for September action and had their chances to win four-straight before falling to Port Adelaide by 13 points last round, and the chance to get some breathing space on a finals rival certainly won't come easy for West Coast.
The stat: West Coast has won the past six clashes in Perth against St Kilda – stretching back to 2012 - by an average margin of 47.5 points, but recent history has been closer, with the Eagles holding a narrow 3-2 edge in the past five encounters.
The match-up: Nic Naitanui v Paddy Ryder
News that Ryder’s sidekick Rowan Marshall would miss the clash after being required to self-isolate has intensified the importance of the one-on-one battle between arguably the AFL’s two best tap ruckmen. Naitanui was once again extremely influential in the victory over Adelaide, winning seven clearances and setting up his midfielders for numerous other quality stoppage extractions, and the high-flying Eagle will need to be at his best again to nullify Ryder’s similarly critical impact for the visitors.
It’s a big week for: Jeremy McGovern
He is now a premiership hero, four-time All Australian and vice-captain, but McGovern has done it the hard way coming from the rookie list and learning difficult lessons about the demands of elite sport. Earning West Coast life membership after 150 games for the club will mean everything to the 29-year-old, who will also lead the team against St Kilda in skipper Luke Shuey's (calf) absence.
Big call: Champion forward Josh Kennedy to return from a minor calf complaint and lead all comers with five majors.
