Where and when: People First Stadium, Sunday, April 28, 1:00pm

TV: Delayed on 7 in WA (230pm), live on Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met: West Coast 6.7 (43) def. by Gold Coast 16.17 (113) at Optus Stadium, round nine, 2023.

The Eagles were torched by the red-hot Suns during a blistering eight-goal second quarter which turned the match from a contest at quarter-time to a one-sided affair. Bullocking midfielder Matt Rowell dominated for the visitors with 29 possessions, 17 tackles and a goal, while stand-in skipper Liam Duggan (32 disposals) led all comers for touches and Oscar Allen was the depleted Eagles’ only multiple goalkicker with two majors.

What it means for the Eagles: The opportunity to continue some exciting and positive momentum built up over the past three weeks. West Coast has shown strong signs of a new identity in back-to-back victories and a fighting loss to Sydney in Gather Round, and will need to be at their best around the contest against Damien Hardwick’s hungry and hard-working Suns outfit. There is no longer trip in football than to Gold Coast from Perth and the youthful Eagles’ effort and intensity will need to be up to match it with the Suns, who have won all three games at home this year against Richmond, Adelaide and Hawthorn.

The stat: The Eagles have won contested possessions by eight, 38 and 24 in the past three matches.

The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Matt Rowell

They are two of the competition’s most ferocious onballers who never shirk a contest, so watching Yeo and Rowell go head-to-head, which should happen at stages, looms as a mouthwatering battle to keep track of on Sunday. Rowell ranks No.1 in contested possessions (110) and clearances (57) in the AFL through six matches, with Yeo equal eighth (82) and third (49) respectively. Whichever team can get the edge around the coalface will go a long way towards winning, with wet weather and slippery conditions tipped for the 1pm bouncedown.

It’s a big week for: Liam Ryan. Back in the AFL side after multiple hamstring tendon operations since he first went down in a freak marking contest during the destructive round thee RAC Derby last year which caused carnage on the injury front for West Coast. The high-flier is expected to play in his customary forward role with Noah Long (hip) sidelined but could also flip to half-back if required after impressing in defence in two WAFL matches. It’s exciting to see the All-Australian star back in the blue and gold.

Big call: Reuben Ginbey to relish more opportunities in the centre square in the absence of rested young gun Harley Reid, and the wet conditions, by racking up career-highs for disposals (currently 22) and clearances (six).

A bold last-quarter rush at victory by the West Coast Eagles was thwarted by Gold Coast as the Suns rallied late to win 17.10 (112) to 12.3 (75) at People First Stadium today.

Down by 34 points at three-quarter time the Eagles made a surge for victory and edged within three goals with five minutes remaining, but the Suns responded with two late goals to Jed Walter and another to Ben King to secure the points.

The Suns eventually won the quarter as well as the match, stretching the margin to 37 points.

The Suns controlled the game for most of the day, especially around stoppages as their young midfield made a statement winning the clearances 48-32 and centre clearances 19-7. So often they burst out of the middle and set up gilt-edged scoring opportunities.

It looked like it might have been a better day for the visitors when the Eagles exploded out of the blocks kicking two goals in the first two minutes and three in the opening five minutes of the match.

Elliot Yeo had a key hand in the flying start, the first coming from a centre clearance and lace out pass to Ryan Maric and then he snapped cleverly out of traffic to kick the second himself.

Gold Coast responded and started to have a stronger say around stoppages with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson enjoying good service from ruckman Jarrad Witts.

They kicked two goals to close the gap to just four points at the first change and then kicked the opening major of the second term to take the lead.

From there it was a see-sawing affair with first one team and the other gaining the ascendancy.

Yeo continued his good form, Tim Kelly started to get his hands on the ball and Jake Waterman who kicked three first-half goals provided a target up forward.

Down back Jeremy McGovern was supreme along with Liam Duggan and Brady Hough.

The Eagles hit the front when Jamie Cripps kicked his first goal of the match in the opening minute of the third quarter, but from there it was one-way traffic as Gold Coast rattled on six consecutive goals.

The Suns were dominating around the contest and consistently pumped the ball forward. They then set up behind the ball and defended field position brilliantly as the Eagles struggled to navigate a way out of their back half.

Down by 34 points at three-quarter time it was always going to be tough from there, especially as the inside 50 count at the last change was 25-50. It ended 67-35 in the Suns favour, so the Eagles defence did will to keep them in  the game for so long.

MATCH DETAILS

Gold Coast Suns 2.3 7.5 13.7 17.10 (112)
West Coast Eagles 3.1 7.2 8.3 12.3 (75)

Goals

Gold Coast Suns: King 3; Walter, Ainsworth, Anderson, Rowell 2; Humphrey, Day, Graham, Rogers, Witts, Fiorini.

West Coast Eagles: Waterman 4; Cripps, Darling 2; Petruccelle, Yeo, Maric, Ryan.

Best

Gold Coast Suns: Witts, Anderson, Rowell, Flanders, Miller, Fiorini.

West Coast Eagles: Waterman, McGovern, Yeo, Duggan, Hough, Kelly.