What’s On | Round 17
West Coast Eagles v GWS Giants
Friday, July 4 | 6.20pm (AWST) | Optus Stadium / Whadjuk 
Gates open 4.45pm 

We’re taking over Optus Stadium for a game of Friday night footy in round 17!

Gates will open from 4.45pm, with plenty to do up until bouncedown.

The team will be wearing our 2025 First Nations guernsey in celebration of NAIDOC Week, with a special performance at quarter time from First Nations dance group Corroboree For Life. 

Public Transport 

Public transport will be running on a weekday schedule, therefore direct trains and the Suburban Event Bus Network will not operate before Friday night’s match. 

All patrons can catch a timetabled train service to Perth Station and transfer to the Armadale or Thornlie-Cockburn line to arrive at Perth Stadium Station.  

Mandurah Line passengers travelling to the Stadium can transfer at Cockburn Central, stopping at all stops to Perth Stadium Station. 

Direct trains will operate post-match, and the Suburban Bus Network will operate 45 minutes post-match. 

Plan your journey via the Transperth JourneyPlanner.

Match Day Timeline 

4.45pm | Gates/Fan Zone open  

6.00pm | Auzzie’s flight around the stadium 

6.09pm | Team entry 

6.20pm | Bouncedown 

Quarter-time | First Nations performance by Corroboree For Life and celebration of the Waalitj Foundation’s 20th Anniversary 

Half-time | AGL Dance Cam and Jim Beam Karaoke Cam 

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

Post-match | Player giveaways to lucky fans around the boundary

Fan Zone 

Head to the Fan Zone on the western concourse on Level 1 (inside Gate D) from 4.45pm:  

• Personalised footy cards are back! Collect your Liam Duggan footy card until bouncedown. 
• TIME TO HUNT: Find all clues hidden around the Fan Zone for your chance to win! 
• In celebration of their 20th anniversary, purchase your Waalitj Foundation scarf from the Fan Zone (also available at Gates A, B, C, & D). 
• Flex your creative muscles and make your own Eagles badge that you can proudly wear. 
• Selected player signings from 5.20pm.  
• Thanks to Einsteins Australia, make your own slime. 
• Facepainting and airbrush tattoos are back, as well as player height charts, footy games and crafts.

Curtain Raiser

Gate C will open from 4.15pm for the Deadly Sista Girlz curtain raiser at 4.20pm. Please note, all patrons must hold a valid ticket to the West Coast Eagles v GWS match to enter Optus Stadium for the curtain raiser. Early arrivals for curtain raiser matches will be restricted to a small viewing area until general seating opens at 4.45pm.

Where and when: Optus Stadium, Friday, July 2, 6.20pm

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

Last time we met: Greater Western Sydney 20.12 (132) defeated West Coast 7.9 (51) at Engie Stadium, round 4, 2025.

It was a difficult afternoon for the Eagles in Round 4 against a dominant GWS outfit, falling to an 81-point defeat at Engie Stadium. Despite a spirited third quarter, the undermanned Eagles struggled to contain the Giants' relentless ball movement and forward efficiency, with Jesse Hogan piling on nine goals in a clinical display. Debutant Sandy Brock worked tirelessly against the in-form spearhead, while Harley Reid delivered his best performance of the season showing promise in both defence and midfield. First-gamer Tom Gross also provided a bright moment with a classy running goal, but the experience and polish of GWS proved too much, leaving West Coast winless.

What it means for the Eagles: West Coast faces another stern test this Friday night as they take on a powerful GWS side brimming with confidence. The Giants dominated the previous encounter, but for the Eagles, this rematch is about showing growth, grit and a stronger brand of football. It’s another important step in the development of the club’s emerging talent, with a focus on competing hard, taking the game on and applying pressure across all four quarters. With a home crowd behind them, the Eagles will be looking to respond with energy and intent. Giving fans a reason to believe in the path this young group is forging.

The stat: West Coast has won 7 of their last 10 clashes against GWS. They’ll be hoping the home ground advantage can spark a strong performance this Friday night.

The match-up: Brady Hough v Finn Callaghan

Callaghan has become a prime mover in the Giants midfield machine and shapes as a key player to stop if the Eagles are to overcome Adam Kingsley's men. Brady Hough didn't tag Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos last week, and collected a career-best 27 disposals in an influential performance. If he can keep an eye on Callaghan, who is averaging an elite 27.8 touches per game, and keep finding the footy it will go a long way to West Coast upsetting the finals contenders. 

It’s a big week for: Matt Flynn

This Friday marks a meaningful reunion for Matt Flynn as he takes on his former club, the GWS Giants. Flynn’s journey since leaving the Giants has been one of steady growth and determination, and he’s ready to bring his competitive edge and defensive tenacity back against the side that gave him his start. With a point to prove and plenty of pride on the line, Flynn will be a player to watch as he aims to help the Eagles rise to the challenge in this high-stakes encounter.

Big call: Dynamic small Malakai Champion to kick two goals - despite starting as sub - as he becomes the fifth member of last year's draft class to debut. 

The West Coast Eagles were unable to match the explosive start and running power of a fresh Greater Western Sydney outfit on Friday night, going down by 59 points at Optus Stadium.

Despite a promising performance the week prior, West Coast were jumped early by the Giants, who made the most of their post-bye energy to establish a sizeable lead through the opening three quarters.

While the Eagles showed patches of fight, they couldn’t stem the Orange Tsunami’s momentum as the visitors surged into the top eight with a 16.15 (111) to 8.4 (52).

Reuben Ginbey was once again among the Eagles’ best, continuing his strong season with a composed performance down back. Tasked with the job on the taller Aaron Cadman, the young defender stood firm and was one of few to consistently win his match-up.

Harley Reid battled hard across four quarters, collecting 24 disposals, seven clearances and seven tackles in a combative display that included heated duels with both Tom Green and Toby Greene.

The alarm bells were ringing early for West Coast, with Callaghan's smother at the opening centre bounce creating a goal for Darcy Jones just 15 seconds into the game after a rapid chain of handballs.

It was the first of four straight goals in a 15-minute burst as the Giants raced to a 26-point lead before the Eagles had scored, with Jamie Cripps finally getting the home team off the marks with a classy snap from the pocket.

The Giants looked energised and were able to work hard back into defence and then explode on the spread when they won the ball back as Callaghan, Xavier O'Halloran and Josh Kelly sliced through the midfield.

The Eagles worked hard through the middle stages and competed at ground level, but their last kick inside 50 was an issue and they entered the main break with just one mark inside 50 and trailing by 35 points.

The Giants put the game to bed in the third term, kicking five of six goals to see out the quarter with a 55-point lead, with Kelly's two goals for the quarter reward for the tireless running he had produced alongside Callaghan all night.

The Eagles now look ahead to a road trip where they'll aim to respond and bring a four-quarter effort that matches the glimpses of quality shown in their better performances this season.

WEST COAST                                     1.0    3.1   5.2     8.4 (52)   

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY            5.3   8.6   13.9   16.15 (111)

GOALS

West Coast: Shanahan 2, Baker, Cripps, Graham, Hutchinson, Ryan, B.Williams

Greater Western Sydney: Greene 3, Cadman 2, Jones 2, Kelly 2, Bedford, Brown, Callaghan, O'Halloran, Riccardi, Stringer

BEST

West Coast: Ginbey, Flynn, Shanahan, Duggan, McCarthy, Reid

Greater Western Sydney: Callaghan, Kelly, Greene, Green, O'Halloran, Jones, Angwin

INJURIES

West Coast: Nil

Greater Western Sydney: Jack Buckley (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES

West Coast: Malakai Champion (replaced Jack Williams at half time)

Greater Western Sydney: Harvey Thomas (replaced Jack Buckley in the third quarter)