Where and when: MCG, Saturday, July 31, 4.15pm
TV: Live on 7 in Perth, Fox Footy and Kayo
Last time we met: West Coast 16.7 (103) def. Collingwood 11.10 (76) at Optus Stadium, round five, 2021
A huge crowd of more than 54,000 people packed Optus Stadium to witness an entertaining contest, highlighted by some individual brilliance from Jack Darling, Dom Sheed and Oscar Allen. Darling and Allen both kicked bags of five majors – with the former drilling four in a withering second-quarter burst – while Sheed nailed three in the last four minutes of the third stanza to put the result beyond doubt. Acting skipper Jeremy McGovern took five intercept marks patrolling the half-back line as West Coast rebounded from a disappointing loss to St Kilda.
Form: (most recent first)
Collingwood LLWLL
West Coast WWLLL
What it means for the Eagles: There have been promising signs of quicker, more adventurous ball movement and renewed confidence during West Coast’s past two victories and the Eagles will be keen to keep building on that by taking the game to Collingwood on the vast expanses of the MCG in former skipper Shannon Hurn’s 300th game. Nic Naitanui (200) and Jeremy McGovern (150) both celebrated milestones with wins against Adelaide and St Kilda respectively, and the players will be motivated to ensure Hurn becoming the first Eagle to reach the triple century ends on a positive note and edges them closer to securing a finals berth.
The stat: Saturday will be Hurn’s 23rd clash against Collingwood (10 wins, 12 losses). The only team he has played on more occasions is crosstown rival Fremantle (25 with 14 wins and 11 losses).
The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Jordan De Goey
They are two of the most explosive players on the ground and, given De Goey’s move to spend more time in the engine room recently, there is a strong chance the two bulls will go head-to-head at the MCG. De Goey has been in outstanding touch, averaging 29.8 disposals and 3.2 clearances in the past five matches, but Yeo has the size, speed and nous to quell his influence while getting dangerous himself.
It’s a big week for: Shannon Hurn
The unassuming and understated premiership captain has been in the spotlight this week as he received due recognition for his remarkable career since being selected with pick 13 in the 2005 national draft. Without doubt the 33-year-old will be relieved when attention turns elsewhere, but you can be sure his sole focus will be on playing team footy, getting a win and enjoying the moment in the changerooms post-game on Saturday.
Big call: Hurn to get dangerous forward of centre and unload a massive bomb from outside 50 – a la from his debut match – and kick his first goal since round one, 2018.
