Don’t miss our first match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season this Sunday, when we take on the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium.

Getting to People First Stadium

With limited parking available in the streets surrounding People First Stadium, we recommend using public transport.

Fans with a ticket to the match can travel free on regular Queensland Rail trains, Kinetic buses and G:link trams (excluding Airtrain) from four hours before the match until four hours after. Event shuttles will run from Nerang Station, Boowaggan Road and Broadbeach South.

Ticketing Information

Interstate members are entitled to redeem up to 2 tickets to our round 1 match against Gold Coast at People First Stadium.

Barcodes and booking links can be found on the regularly updated Interstate Member Hub.

If you don't have an Interstate membership, tickets are available to purchase via Ticketek.

Where and when: People First Stadium, Sunday, March 15, 5.10pm (3:10pm AWST)

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

Last time we met: Gold Coast 20.16 (136) defeated West Coast 7.7 (49) at Optus Stadium, round 1, 2025.

Gold Coast flexed their muscles in the season opener at Optus Stadium, overpowering West Coast from the outset on their way to an 87‑point win. The Suns’ midfield trio of Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller controlled the contest, feeding a forward line led by Ben King, who booted a career‑best six goals. Despite strong efforts from Jack Graham, Liam Baker, Brady Hough and Reuben Ginbey, the Eagles were under constant pressure as Gold Coast pushed their advantage at every break before sealing a 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49) victory. Jake Waterman provided the main scoreboard spark for West Coast in an otherwise challenging outing.

What it means for the Eagles:

A strong start to the season carries real significance for a West Coast side determined to continue its growth and take meaningful steps forward in 2026. After a summer of development, connection and competition across the list, round one represents the first true test of how far the group has come and how well their pre-season standards can translate under real pressure. A positive opening performance would inject belief into a young squad, reinforce the game style Andrew McQualter and his coaching team have been building, and set a platform for the consistency they’ve been chasing. For a club eager to re-establish itself, beginning the year with intent, energy and four committed quarters isn’t just about banking early momentum, it’s about signalling the direction this team intends to go in the months ahead.

The stat: West Coast has claimed one win from the past three meetings with Gold Coast - a 10‑point victory at Optus Stadium in round 21, 2024.

The match-up: Jake Waterman v Sam Collins

One of the key battles to watch on Sunday will unfold inside West Coast’s forward 50, where Jake Waterman takes on Gold Coast defensive pillar Sam Collins. Waterman enters the season as a focal point in attack, renowned for his strong aerial presence, long-range finishing and ability to generate scoring opportunities even under pressure. Standing in his way is Collins, the Suns’ no‑nonsense interceptor whose strength, positioning and competitiveness make him one of the toughest match‑ups for any key forward. If Waterman can work Collins over on the lead and bring his trademark energy at the contest, it will go a long way towards helping West Coast generate the scoreboard pressure needed to unsettle the Suns’ defensive structure.

It’s a big week for: Jack Graham

It’s a big week for Jack Graham as he prepares to run out for his 150th AFL game, a milestone that reflects the toughness, consistency and competitive edge he has brought across his career. Since arriving at West Coast ahead of the 2025 season, Graham has quickly become a reliable presence through the midfield and a standard-setter with his pressure and team-first mindset. His contested work, leadership and ability to lift in big moments have made him a valuable stabiliser for a developing Eagles engine room. Reaching 150 games is a testament to his resilience and professionalism, and his milestone appearance will provide an added spark for teammates and fans as he leads the charge into round one.

The stat: Tom McCarthy announces his shift from half‑back to midfield in style, eclipsing his 31‑disposal debut with a career‑best performance.

West Coast showed resilience after half-time to fight back from a disappointing start before going down to Gold Coast by 59 points at People First Stadium on Sunday night.

Faced with a massive challenge against the early premiership favourites, the Eagles were up against it from the get-go as the Suns burst out of the blocks - as they did against Grand Finalist Geelong in Opening Round - to establish a 62-point advantage. 

The young Eagles fought back with a five-goal third term - winning the quarter by 14 points and second half by three - but Gold Coast steadied late to win 20.11 (131) to 10.12 (72).

With four debutants and recruits Deven Robertson and Tylar Young playing their first games in blue and gold, the Eagles grew into the contest and rectified an early imbalance while bringing pressure (73-46 tackles). 

There were promising signs, with former WAFL star Milan Murdock capping his unforgettable two weeks since joining the Eagles with two goals and 22 disposals, bringing energy to the forward line. 

Ex-Lion Deven Robertson laid 12 tackles to go with his 17 disposals, while No.1 pick Willem Duursma (14 disposals), Josh Lindsay (16) and Cooper Duff-Tytler (five tackles, two clearances) all had their moments. 

Star midfielder Harley Reid (23 disposals) gave everything all game in a strong-willed performance alongside hard-working 150th-gamer Jack Graham (19, eight tackles).

Despite missing Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell (finger), the vaunted Suns midfield laid the foundation for victory, with Jarrod Witts commanding in the ruck.

Witts finished with 20 disposals that included a long-range goal, a game-high seven clearances and more importantly for his team, put the ball on a plate for his midfield.

Following three goals from 34 disposals against the Cats, Christian Petracca played another blinder, kicking three in the first term and finishing with four for the game from 23 disposals, 14 of which resulted in scores.

Captain Noah Anderson was also prolific, racking up 34 touches, Alex Davies had a big impact in less game time than his teammates with 25 and Joel Jeffrey (28) was devastating from half-back with his exquisite ball use.

Ben King kicked five goals to make it nine for the season, with Leo Lombard (two goals) impressing the week after earning a Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination.

They started the game raging favourites, and the Suns were in no mood to muck around, slamming on seven first-quarter goals to explode to a 38-point lead at the first change.

To West Coast’s credit, it came out with renewed vigour after the main break and deserved to win the third term with five goals to three.

Jake Waterman competed hard in attack to earn his three majors, while Elliot Yeo stood tall in his first game since 2024, kicking two majors from 17 disposals, and Reuben Ginbey was a pillar in defence. 

West Coast will be looking to get on the winners' list when the Eagles host their first home game at Optus Stadium for 2026 next Sunday against North Melbourne. 

Details
GOLD COAST 7.3 13.6 16.8 20.11 (131)
WEST COAST 1.1 3.4  8.8 10.12 (72)
 
GOALS
Gold Coast: King 5, Petracca 4, Lombard 2, Witts, Rogers, Rioli, Miller, Long, Farrar, Davies, Clohesy, Anderson
West Coast: Waterman 3, Yeo 2, Murdock 2, Shanahan, A.Reid, Newton
 
BEST
Gold Coast: Witts, Petracca, Anderson, Jeffrey, B.Uwland, Davies
West Coast: H.Reid, Murdock, Yeo, Robertson, Ginbey, Waterman
 
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
West Coast: Nil
 
Crowd: 13,309 at People First Stadium