What’s On | Round 7
West Coast Eagles v Richmond
Friday, April 29 | 6.10pm (AWST) | Optus Stadium
Gates open 4pm

Optus Stadium is returning to 100% capacity in time for Friday Night Footy this week, when we take on Richmond at Optus Stadium from 6.10pm!

Tickets for the match are on sale through Ticketmaster right now, so pick up yours today and help us fill Optus Stadium with passionate Eagles fans.

Proof of vaccination & mask wearing

From Friday, April 29, masks are no longer mandatory while in indoor areas, and patrons will no longer need to show proof of vaccination upon entry to Optus Stadium.

Please note that all arrangements are subject to change, pending any State Government COVID-19 restrictions or other directions.

As a reminder to fans, Optus Stadium continues to experience COVID-19-related staff shortages.

Please be aware there might be longer queues than usual at the gates and at bars and food outlets.

If you can get to the match early, we recommend you do so with gates open two hours before bounce.

Optus Stadium staff who are working are pulling out all stops to make sure you have a great night and appreciate your patience and kindness.

Mobile Ticketing

Tickets for Reserved Seat members are now available to download in the official West Coast Eagles App.

Avoid match day delays by downloading the official West Coast Eagles app and logging in to your West Coast Eagles account now, ahead of Sunday's match. We strongly recommend not to leave this until the last minute, in case you encounter problems, and to save your tickets to your phone wallet to ensure no delays.

Instructions on how to use mobile ticketing are available here, and instructions on how to forward your ticket to a family member or a friend are available here.

The West Coast Eagles Membership Services team will be available at the box offices B, C, and E from 4pm on Friday to answer any questions; however, please arrive early if you think that you may require assistance with your tickets.

If you have any issues with your tickets, please attend the match and the Membership Services team will assist; there is no need to miss the match solely for this reason.

Seat Return Program

Can’t make it to the match? Our Seat Return Program is available for Friday’s match. If your seat successfully sells, you’ll receive a credit towards your 2023 membership renewal.

For more information, including a step-by-step guide to returning your seats, please click here.

Credits will not apply if your seat does not sell, or if you do not attend and do not return your seat.

 Public Transport

Please note that Transperth’s suburban event bus network will not be operating before Friday’s match. Remember to plan your journey on Friday ahead with Transperth’s Journey Planner, and please click here for further information.

Public Transport is included in the cost of your match day ticket, with free travel on Perth’s buses and trains three hours either side of the match. If asked, please show your ticket to the driver or inspector.

Community Recognition Round

The West Coast Eagles has been actively supporting the WA community since the club’s inception in 1986; and on Friday night, we’ll acknowledge the important work that our community partners and programs undertake across Western Australia.

Thanks to your support of the West Coast Eagles, we are able to deliver back to the community and promote important causes, including the work undertaken by the Waalitj Foundation, which was established in 2005 to empower First Nations peoples.

Auzzie’s Flight

Be sure to be in your seats from 5.50pm* to catch Auzzie’s pre-match flight around Optus Stadium.

Hungry Jack’s Whopper Goal

If a West Coast Eagles player kicks a goal from outside 50m at a home qualifying match during the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season at Optus Stadium then supporters and fans will be offered a free “Whopper Goal” voucher. The voucher entitles a supporter or fan to one free Whopper. To claim the “Whopper Goal” voucher, a member or fan must download and register for the Hungry Jack’s App and opt-in to receive the voucher when prompted, up until 3 hours after the Whopper Goal is kicked. The voucher will be sent to the user on the Wednesday following the match. For more information, click here.

Contactless Payment

All food and beverage outlets at Optus Stadium now accept payment by credit or debit card only. If you do not have access to credit or debit card, cash can be exchanged for a complimentary ‘Cash Card’ via Cash Exchange points located around the Stadium. Optus Stadium event day staff will direct you to the nearest Cash Exchange point at the Stadium. For more information, please click here

*Subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

West Coast have been comprehensively beaten in one of the club's biggest losses.

The 109 point defeat to the Tigers was the Eagles' largest loss at Optus Stadium and heaviest defeat since 2008. 

The Eagles have endured numerous injuries to key players and a raft of players entering health and safety protocols this season, compounding their challenges but their recent run is alarming, with the side sliding to 1-6.

Eagles legend Josh Kennedy managed to reach a significant milestone late in the match by kicking his 700th goal becoming the 25th player to reach the mark in VFL/AFL history.

EAGLES v TIGERS Full match coverage and stats

For the Tigers, the win snaps their two-game losing run and improves their record to 3-4, even without rested veterans Trent Cotchin and Robbie Tarrant plus with Dustin Martin only returning to training earlier in the week.

Tom Lynch marked his 200th AFL game with a seven-goal haul and eight contested marks, while Jack Riewoldt helped himself to four majors.

Shai Bolton kicked three with 30 disposals and 15 score involvements, and Jason Castagna, Maurice Rioli jnr and Kamdyn McIntosh dined out with three majors each. Jayden Short was handed a rare run in midfield in Cotchin's absence and was outstanding with 31 disposals.

Remarkably Richmond's first 11 goals all came from turnovers, with the Eagles' disconnected ball movement allowing the Tigers to toy with them at times. Richmond kicked 20.8 for the game from turnovers.

Two weeks ago, Sydney blew away the Eagles on Good Friday at the same venue, leading by 58 points at half-time after 20 scoring shots to two, and the Tigers dominated the first half in similar circumstances, opening up a 63-point lead.

West Coast conceded nine consecutive goals for the first time ever at Optus Stadium as the club hit another new low after second-gamer Luka Strnadica kicked his first AFL goal in the first term.

Kennedy kicked four second-half goals in a rare bright point for the home side while debutant Greg Clark had 24 touches.

Spearhead milestones
Lynch reached another milestone in his 200th AFL game, with his second major bringing up his 400th career goal. The former Gold Coast forward had 12 shots on goal for the game, finishing with 7.5. Down the other end, Kennedy's four second-half goals took him to 700 career majors, celebrating in the final quarter despite the side trailing by triple figures. Kennedy becomes the 25th player to reach the 700-goal mark.

Riolis in numbers
Three Riolis appeared in the clash to contrasting fortunes, with West Coast's Willie Rioli subbed off at half-time with a hamstring injury with seven disposals and no goals until that point. Maurice Rioli jnr offered an insight into his potential in his third AFL game with three goals, taking his career tally to five including two in a minute in the third term, while he also had nine score involvements. Daniel Rioli accumulated 23 disposals off half-back.

WEST COAST        1.2       2.4       4.7        8.8 (56)
RICHMOND           7.3      12.7     18.11     25.15 (165) 

GOALS  
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Strnadica, Ryan, Darling, Kelly

Richmond: Lynch 7, Riewoldt 4, Bolton 3, M.Rioli 3, McIntosh 3, Castagna 2, Prestia, Soldo, Nankervis

BEST  
West Coast: Kennedy, Redden, Duggan, Clark
Richmond: Short, Lynch, Bolton, Lambert, Vlastuin, Nankervis

INJURIES  
West Coast: Rioli (hamstring)
Richmond: Prestia (ankle)

LATE CHANGES
West Coast: Tom Barrass (hamstring) replaced in selected by Hugh Dixon

Richmond: Nil

SUBSTITUTES  
West Coast: Andrew Gaff (replaced Willie Rioli at half-time)
Richmond: Jack Ross (replaced Dion Prestia in the third quarter)