Where and when: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, June 10, 4.05pm (2.35pm AWST)
TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo
Last time we met: West Coast 13.8 (86) def. by Adelaide 16.6 (102) at Optus Stadium, round 21, 2022
Who could forget Josh Kennedy’s stunning farewell game? After a massive build-up, the champion forward went out on an astonishing personal high, bagging eight goals on an afternoon of high drama - albeit in a 16-point loss as the Crows played party poopers. Kennedy booted majors in every quarter and whipped the huge 50,000-strong crowd into a frenzy as he finished a Hall of Fame career with 723 goals. Young Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty was again a thorn in the Eagles’ side, kicking three of his four majors in the final term to help seal the visitors’ win. Kennedy was chaired from the field by Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn to rapturous applause as the crowd stayed until the very end to farewell a West Coast legend.
What it means for the Eagles: The Crows clash will be the last before West Coast takes stock over the upcoming bye weekend and the Eagles will want to head into the break with momentum by continuing their competitive spirit shown recently against Essendon and Collingwood. While the Pies and Bombers were too good, West Coast is seeing signs of the style of play that can take the team forward and want to build on that.
The stat: West Coast holds a 4-3 win-loss advantage over the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Jordan Dawson
The Crows captain is putting together a fine season and is in red-hot form, coming off 62 disposals in the past two games. Dawson has the ability to mind an opponent while being dangerous himself, and appears on a collision course for a clash with West Coast midfield bull Elliot Yeo, who showed against the Pies last round that he is getting back to his ferocious best. The two-time John Worsfold is a barometer for the Eagles and slots in next to Dom Sheed, Tim Kelly and Luke Shuey in the engine room for a rare match together - just the 14th time in 75 matches since Kelly was traded from Geelong.
It’s a big week for: Ryan Maric
The fairytale story of mid-season draftee to AFL player is almost complete for the boy from Drouin, who will don the blue and gold for the first time at Adelaide Oval. Maric will slot into an attack alongside Jack Darling and Oscar Allen, playing against some members of his fantasy footy team he was cheering on just one week ago. To say it’s been a whirlwind 10 days since Maric first landed in Perth is some understatement.
Big call: Inspirational skipper Luke Shuey to lead all comers for disposals in his first game back since round six.
