G’day team,

What a disappointing result at the weekend. We played really well for a half, but fell away badly in the second half and ended up going down to the Doggies.

Full credit to the Bulldogs, they played great footy and played better team footy. They’re certainly a side on the up, with plenty of young guns. Liberatore and Dalhaus in particular look like future champs, and Griffin is one of the best midfielders in the competition.

One positive was Josh Kennedy’s chase and tackle on the speedy Dalhaus in the second quarter. To put in the amount of running he does, presenting time and time again, to have enough guts to put his head down and chase down a small forward like that was truly inspirational.

It reminded me of Dwayne Lamb chasing down Robert Scott in the last quarter of the 1992 grand final!

Not only is JK putting in the one percenters, he’s also leading the Coleman Medal.

Well done JK!

Now onto this week, the Gold Coast Suns.

They are the most improved team in the competition, led by their midfield maestro, Gary Ablett Jr.

Sitting only one win behind our boys on the ladder this is certainly one we cannot drop. Every game is still important for our young side to get more games together under their belts. Every game is a chance to improve as a team, and hopefully that will help us build toward a flag in the near future.

Whoever gets the job on the little genius this week, be sure they’ll be giving it their all. Our boys always do!

Of course I’m tipping an Eagles victory.

It’s also Dig Deep Day this Saturday, so the boys will run out on Saturday in an official commemorative Dig Deep guernsey in recognition of the club’s official Dig Deep for Cancer Council WA match day.

The guernseys, which feature Cancer Council WA’s logo, as well as the iconic ‘Dig Deep’ slogan, will be signed by the individual player and auctioned off on the official West Coast Eagles online auction.

Not only do we have the dirty guernseys straight off the players' backs, but if your favourite player isn’t playing this weekend, you can still bid on his signed guernsey as we are auctioning off the full set.

With all money raised from the sale of the guernseys going to Cancer Council WA, this is your chance to own a unique piece of West Coast Eagles memorabilia and support a worthy cause.

Fans are also reminded that the Dig Deep pins are on sale now at Caltex service stations, the West Coast Eagles Team Store and the Cancer Council WA shop in Subiaco for five dollars. You can also get them at the ground before and after the round 19 game.

See you at the game and go Eagles!

Love Rick.