What’s On | Round 6
West Coast Eagles v Essendon Bombers
Friday, April 18 | 4.10pm (AWST) | Optus Stadium / Whadjuk
Gates open 2.30pm

We're taking over Optus Stadium this Good Friday, April 18, with a clash against Essendon, and we're turning back time to the 90s!

On this Friday footy special, we want you to come dressed in your best retro kits and help us build the match day playlist with your favourite 90s tracks.

Don’t forget your scarf this match day! We want to take back the wave, started by Kevin Sheedy back in 1993 – before the bounce and after every Eagles goal, stand up and wave your scarf.

Match Day Timeline

2.30pm | Gates and Fan Zone opens

3.50pm | Auzzie’s flight around the stadium

3.59pm | Team entry

4.10pm | Bouncedown

Quarter-time | Jim Beam Karaoke Cam + you could be selected to race Rick the Rock and the Easter Bunny around the boundary to win an upgrade to the Field Club for the remainder of the match!

Half-time | AGL Dance Cam

Three-quarter time | Crown 50m Kick to Win competition – be in your seats at half-time for your chance to be selected

Post-match | Player giveaways to lucky fans around the ground with special Easter goodies

Beat the Bounce

Enjoy a sensational discount on hot chips for round 6 – only available until bouncedown, so get in early!

Looking for somewhere to enjoy the day before the gates open? The Merrywell at Crown Perth will be OPEN this Good Friday public holiday from 12.00pm until 2.30pm for a special West Coast Eagles-themed party.

The perfect place to take the family pre-match – there will be face painting, colouring stations, our mascot, Rick the Rock, and special guests John Worsfold, Kieren Jack, Michael Prior and Tim Gepp. (Unfortunately, Nic Naitanui is no longer able to attend the event.)

Come along to the Merrywell and you'll have the chance to win a family pass (for four people) to Friday's match. Including with a ‘boundary rider’ experience, West Coast Eagles merchandise and signed memorabilia, thanks to Crown Perth!

It’s only a short walk to Optus Stadium, where you can continue the fun when gates open at 2.30pm.

Mobile Ticketing | Reserved Seat Members

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 Friday'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.

Click here for troubleshooting tips if you experience issues accessing your tickets.

Please note that our phone lines are not staffed on weekends; however, we will monitor emails leading into match day and respond to any time-sensitive queries. If all else fails, we can assist you at the match – there is no reason to miss a match due to a ticketing issue.

The West Coast Eagles Membership Services team will be available at the box offices B, C, and E from 2.30pm on Friday to answer any questions.

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

Seat Return Program | Reserved Seat Members

Can’t make it to the match? Our Seat Return Program is available now for the first seven fixtured home matches of the 2025 season. If your seat successfully sells, you’ll receive a credit towards your 2026 membership renewal.

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

Public Transport

Remember to plan your journey ahead of Friday. Normal AFL event train and bus schedules will be in operation for this match.

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.

With the opening of the Ellenbrook line, direct trains from Fremantle to Perth Stadium Station will not be operating before AFL matches.

Bus route 652 (Mirrabooka Bus Station) and route 653 (Galleria Bus Station) will now arrive and depart from Bus Hub. Patrons will no longer need to walk across Matagarup Bridge.

The Armadale/Thornlie train line is closed until mid-2025. Suburban Event Buses will run to and from Optus Stadium, and trains will continue to operate between Victoria Park and Perth Stations, including Stadium Station. Information on changes to Optus Stadium special event services can be found here.

Where and when: Optus Stadium, Friday, April 18, 4:10pm

TV: Live on 7 and 7plus in WA, nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo (see broadcast guide here)

Last time we met: West Coast 13.14 (92) defeated by Essendon 19.8 (122) at Marvel Stadium, round 16, 2024.

West Coast last faced the Bombers in round 16 last season, falling by 30 points at Marvel Stadium. It was a spirited performance from West Coast, pushing Essendon all the way before coming up short in the final quarter. Strong periods from the Eagles late in the first and third terms kept the game within reach, but they were unable to reign in the margin in the end. West Coast was guilty of allowing Essendon midfielders to slip forward into space with no direct opponent to compete with. Consistent performers Elliot Yeo and Liam Duggan were a regular presence, while Liam Ryan's ability to clear the ball out the front of the stoppage proved damaging, and Reuben Ginbey's work to minimise Zach Merrett's impact added an element of physicality.

What it means for the Eagles: West Coast continues to chase their first win of the season, and securing the four points against the Bombers will do wonders for this young and developing team and their confidence going forward. The group has been adapting to Andrew McQualter’s new game plan, and while there has been some good glimpses of progress, the structure has yet to come together for four quarters. Vice-captain Jeremy McGovern, experienced mid Tim Kelly, exciting youngster Elijah Hewett and big man Matt Flynn all return to the squad this week, bolstering stocks across all lines. 

The stat: Jack Graham laid a game-high nine tackles last week against Carlton, four more than any other player on the ground.

The match-up: Archer Reid v Zach Reid

It’s a big day for the Reid household, with brothers Archer and Zach facing off for the first time at AFL level. Keep an eye out for some sibling rivalry in West Coast’s forward line, with Archer (five games) expected to take it right to Zach (13 games) and secure the family bragging rights.

It’s a big week for: Tim Kelly

Tim Kelly returns to the lineup this week, after being omitted from the round five clash with Carlton. Kelly featured for the WAFL Eagles last Friday night, managing a respectable 20 touches, five tackles and a game-high 10 inside 50s. The 2023 John Worsfold medallist has struggled with form recently but has shown enough to be recalled by Andrew McQualter, and Kelly will be looking to have a big impact against the Dons.

Big call: Yet to convert a major in 2025, Elijah Hewett will kick multiple goals in front of the Eagles faithful on Friday afternoon.

A much-improved and whole-hearted West Coast pushed Essendon all the way in a two-point loss at Optus Stadium on Good Friday.

The Eagles ambushed the Bombers early, flying to a 28-point advantage in the second quarter, but Peter Wright's six goals and a strong midfield put the Bombers back in control to win 11.11 (77) to 11.9 (75). 

West Coast was left to rue a disappointing third term, when the Dons booted five goals to two, and some missed opportunities in the final quarter as they came storming home to no avail.

Jack Williams booted his third goal with 30 seconds left on the clock, giving the Eagles a chance for a famous victory.

But Essendon won the crucial centre clearance, taking vital time and field position away from West Coast, and the visitors held on for their third-straight win. 

Key forward Jake Waterman (four goals) and returning vice captain Jeremy McGovern (23 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) led the way after injury-interrupted starts to the season, outlining their importance to a building side. 

Elijah Hewett was outstanding in the second half, finding his groove on his return from a calf injury and snagging two goals from 21 disposals, with 12 contested possessions, in a bright display.

One of the Eagles' important next generation, Hewett was part of an improved midfield, including Tim Kelly (22 disposals) and Jack Graham (24, six tackles).

Brad Scott warned his team during the week that they could not afford to take the Eagles lightly, declaring there was no such thing as an easy game in Perth and they would be exposed if they were off their game.

Two minutes into the game and it was clear the coach knew what he was talking about, with the Bombers clearly off their game as a flat looking group struggled to get their hands on the ball, spraying kicks when they did.

The Eagles were making it hard for them, ramping up their pressure and racing to an early lead as Waterman marked everything that came his way and booted four first-quarter goals.

At the other end of the ground, McGovern had 11 disposals and was an intercepting force in his first game back from a groin injury as the Eagles won their second quarter for the season and took a 22-point lead into the first break.

The Bombers needed someone to stand up and Wright delivered, kicking back-to-back goals early in the second term to cut the margin to 17 points before Dylan Shiel made it three in a row for the visitors.

The Eagles continued to find big efforts though, with Harry Edwards putting his body on the line to save a goal, Brady Hough winning a big contested ball on the wing, and Jack Hutchinson laying several crunching tackles.

Essendon's midfield advantage became more obvious as the game wore on, but back-to-back goals from Jayden Hunt and returning midfielder Elijah Hewett restored a 25-point lead halfway through the third quarter.

Midfielder/forward Archie Perkins made a vital cameo for the visitors, however, kicking two goals in two minutes to launch a four-goal run that tied scores at the final change.

West Coast led for most of the night until WA product Nic Martin converted in the final quarter and the Bombers held on.

The Eagles remain winless heading for a huge challenge against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.  

WEST COAST        5.0   7.3   9.7   11.9 (75)

ESSENDON           1.2   4.3   9.7   11.11 (77) 

GOALS 

West Coast: Waterman 4, J.Williams 3, Hewett 2, Cripps, Hunt 

Essendon: Wright 6, Perkins 2, Shiel, Draper, Martin 

BEST

West Coast: Waterman, McGovern, Hewett, J.Williams, Baker, Graham  

Essendon: Wright, Martin, Draper, Merrett, McGrath, Setterfield 

INJURIES

West Coast: Nil 

Essendon: Draper (lower leg), Duursma (ribs) 

SUBSTITUTES

West Coast: Tom Gross (replaced Tyrell Dewar in the fourth quarter) 

Essendon: Saad El-Hawli (replaced Jade Gresham in the third quarter)