What’s On | Round 2 – Fan Appreciation Round
West Coast Eagles v North Melbourne  
Sunday, March 22 | 3.10pm (AWST) | Optus Stadium / Whadjuk 
Gates open 1.15pm 

The wait is finally over...footy’s back at Optus Stadium! Don’t miss our first home match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season when we take on North Melbourne.

As we kick off the season, we want to thank our members and fans who don’t just show up, but stand up, supporting us through thick and thin. 

Thank you for being All The Way West. 

We anticipate our first home match back to be a busy one, so we encourage you to arrive early to avoid delays. Arrive before 2.30pm and you’ll automatically go in the draw to win some epic prizes:  

• Signed AFL team guernseys
• Field Club upgrade in round 4
• Vouchers to the West Coast Eagles SuperStore
• Round 20 Derby tickets
• $250 Ticketmaster gift voucher

Terms and conditions apply

Match Day Timeline 

1.15pm | Gates and Fan Zone open 

2.30pm | Scan in before 2.30pm for your chance to win some epic prizes!

2.45pm | Auzzie the Eagle

2.59pm | Team entry  

3.10pm | First siren 

Quarter-time | Sky High Seat Update – Be in your seat for your chance to win a future double pass upgrade to Ozone Seating at the top of the stadium  

Half-time | Member Moments – spotlighting our members on the big screen 

Three-quarter time | Crown Kick to Win & AGL West Coast Wave – build the energy for the final quarter! 

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 1.15pm:   

• Selected player signings from 2.10pm (subject to change) 
• Be a part of the 2026 AFL team photo –  snap your picture to be placed amongst the team 
• Arts and crafts station – make your own sign, bracelet, badge or flower crown 
• Airbrush tattoos and face painting 
• See how you measure-up next to Auzzie the Eagle’s wingspan  
• Well Wishes Wall – write your message to the team 
• Games galore – handball and kicking targets, tic-tac-toe, and reaction game 
• WA All Abilities Football Association Wheelchair Football 
• Triple M games and giveaways 
• Brass band and stilt walkers roaming the concourse 

Eagle Eats – exclusive food & beverage deals 

Eagle Eats is back in 2026, now, Beat the Siren! Thanks to our partnership with Optus Stadium, enjoy more exclusive food and drink deals from gates open until the first siren.

View all offers +

Curtain Raiser

Arrive early and see some of our past players (OWLS – Older, Wiser, Larger, Slower) and their kids take part in the curtain raiser. Entry for the OWLS curtain raiser is via Gate C from 1.15pm. Please note, all patrons must hold a valid ticket to the West Coast Eagles v North Melbourne match to enter Optus Stadium for the curtain raiser. 

Membership support on match day

The West Coast Eagles Membership Services team will be available at box offices B, C, and E on match days to assist with any questions. If you anticipate needing help with your tickets, we encourage you to arrive early to avoid delays.  

There is no reason to miss a match due to a ticketing issue! 

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.

Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, March 22, 3.10pm WST

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

Last time we met: North Melbourne 9.8 (62) defeated West Coast 6.16 (52) at Hands Oval, Round 14, 2025.

West Coast surrendered a final-quarter lead to lose by 10 points in Bunbury the last time these two teams met. The Eagles led by 18 points early in the fourth quarter before the Kangaroos lifted to boot the final three goals of the game and take the win. Young forward Jack Williams finally converted to give the Eagles their first goal 20 minutes into the second quarter and from their 34th inside 50. Their best period came early in the third term as Elijah Hewett, Liam Ryan and Williams all took chances, with Tom Cole later kicking just the fifth goal of his career when he launched a 50m set shot. Full-back Harry Edwards could hold his head high, keeping gun Kangaroos spearhead Nick Larkey goalless and regularly intercepting North's attacking thrusts in arguably his best career performance. 

What it means for the Eagles:

Following a tough start to the 2026 campaign last week against the Suns, West Coast will have taken plenty out of that game, the second half in particular, and put those learnings in place to take on North this weekend. In what is the Eagles’ first home game of the season, the club will celebrate Appreciation Round, an opportunity to honour the loyalty and passion of Eagles members and fans, acknowledging their steadfast support and showcasing the club's appreciation for their unwavering commitment. The team will be looking to put on a good show for the Eagle’s faithful and secure their first win of the season on their home turf.

The stat: Jack Darling returns to Optus Stadium where he’s kicked 148 career goals and fittingly faces the club he debuted against back in 2011, sharing that first outing with fellow debutant Andrew Gaff.

The match-up: Matt Flynn v Tristan Xerri

A crucial contest awaits in the middle on Sunday as Matt Flynn locks horns with North Melbourne big man Tristan Xerri. Flynn has quickly settled into West Coast’s engine room, using his mobility, clean ruck craft and follow‑up work at ground level to give the Eagles a competitive edge around stoppage. He’ll be challenged by Xerri, who is a combative, physical ruck who excels at directing hit outs, a Roo who’s carved out a special place with North fans through his on‑field presence. With both sides leaning on clearance dominance, the ruckman who gains the early edge, in the air or at ground level, will go a long way to shaping the midfield battle

It’s a big week for: Liam Baker

Newly appointed co-captain Liam Baker watched his team’s season-opener from the sidelines last week, serving a one-game suspension that was issued following the final game of last season. In his second year in the blue and gold, Baker has been a strong voice of leadership for this youthful Eagles side, and having him back out there in front of the home fans will be a big boost for the boys.

Big call: Second gamer and No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma will kick the first goal of the game – his first in the League – and will finish with 20+ disposals.

An inspired West Coast has won its first game in 10 months and snapped a 14-game losing streak, coming from 30 points behind at Optus Stadium to stun North Melbourne and win by 17. 

The Eagles' young talent was on show in a 10-goal turnaround as they broke the game open in an eight-goal third quarter, playing with dare and a bit of menace to build a 30-point lead of their own. 

The question was whether they would have the composure to finish the job, and North made them sweat, cutting the margin to 11 before the Eagles steadied to win 17.9 (111) to 15.4 (94) in just the second win of Andrew McQualter's tenure. 

On a day that saw the club's youngest stars shine bright, pre-season selection Milan Murdock added a fairytale touch by snapping the sealer from 35 metres, sparking massive celebrations from the rebuilding team. 

It was the Eagles' first win since the round 10 triumph against St Kilda last season, and the nature of their performance suggests there will be more to follow through 2026 as the talented young core develops.

For North Melbourne, which let a game-high 30-point lead in the second quarter slip, the loss undoes much of the positivity built in an impressive 46-point win against Port Adelaide last week, missing the chance to win back-to-back matches for the first time since the opening two rounds of 2023.

West Coast's performance was driven by midfield sidekicks Harley Reid (30 disposals) and Elliot Yeo (19 and two goals) but included a deep list of contributors, with hard nuts Deven Robertson and Jack Graham both important.  

The clutch goalkicking of young players Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Archer Reid, and Jobe Shanahan, who all kicked two goals, was crucial through the middle stages as the Eagles capitalised on their momentum.

Veteran Jamie Cripps booted a team-high three goals, while co-captain Liam Baker returned from suspension to play his first game of the season and add toughness and dash across half-back. 

The former Richmond gun left the ground late with an ankle concern, however, while defender Harry Edwards was sidelined with concussion for the second time in three weeks. 

Challenged to be business-like and consistent after its impressive 46-point win against Port Adelaide, North took control of the opening quarter and built a 25-point lead by applying relentless pressure and converting the Eagles' frequent turnovers into scores. 

The Roos were cleaner with the ball after a scrambly start and booted five goals from West Coast errors as Larkey capitalised with three of his own in the first quarter.  

When Cam Zurhaar slotted his second goal to start the second term, the margin was 30 points and alarm bells would have been going off in the Eagles' coaches' box. 

The home team adjusted, however, and turned the game on its head, eliminating the fumbles, hunting their opponents, and sharing the ball cleanly to go on a four-goal run and cut the margin to one point. 

Murdock brought great energy to the contest as the Eagles went inside 50 17 times to eight, Cripps kicked back-to-back goals, while Archer Reid and Shanahan combined well in the front half. 

Larkey, however, booted his fourth after former Eagle Jack Darling kicked cleverly to his advantage, extending the half-time margin to seven points. 

The Eagles made their big move in the third, surging with energy and converting their chances in an eight-goal quarter that saw them lead by 30 at the final change. 

Larkey threatened to steal the game back for North with back-to-back goals in the final quarter, but the Eagles steadied through a clutch long-range set shot from Jake Waterman and Murdock's final touch of class. 

As well as Larkey, who finished with six goals, the Kangaroos were best served by midfielder Harry Sheezel (40 disposals and eight clearances) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (32 and six), while ruck Tristan Xerri finished with 44 hitouts and seven clearances in a big performance.   

Prized draftees kick classy first goals 

It took only until the first quarter of their second games for exciting duo Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler to open their goalkicking accounts, with the draftees slotting classy goals 30 minutes apart. Duursma opened the match with a 50m set shot one minute in, effortlessly launching the ball after a scrambly start. It was Duff-Tytler's turn at the end of the quarter, gathering a groundball in the forward pocket under pressure from opponent Toby Pink before turning his man inside out and snapping a terrific first goal. It was a window into the exciting attributes of both players, with Duursma's skill and Duff-Tytler's agility for a big man big reasons they were picks No.1 and No.4 at the most recent Telstra AFL Draft. 

Concussion concern for Eagles defender 

Harry Edwards has entered concussion protocols for the second time in three weeks after a head knock in the first quarter ended his first game for the season. Edwards copped a head knock from teammate Matt Flynn in a marking contest and went down immediately, attempting to brush off medical staff before again ending up on his haunches as play was eventually stopped. The 25-year-old was forced to walk from the field slowly and will now miss the Eagles' clash against Port Adelaide next Sunday at Adelaide Oval. His absence on Sunday forced a shuffle in defence, with Reuben Ginbey playing as a key tall on danger man Nick Larkey. Sandy Brock is sidelined with an ankle injury but could press for selection against the Power.

WEST COAST                       3.1     7.6     15.7     17.9 (111)
NORTH MELBOURNE          7.1     9.1     11.1      15.4 (94)
 
GOALS
West Coast: Cripps 3, Yeo 2, Shanahan 2, A.Reid 2, Murdock 2, Duursma 2, Duff-Tytler 2, Waterman, Flynn
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Zurhaar 2, Curtis 2, Powell, O'Sullivan, McDonald, Konstanty, Dovaston
 
BEST
West Coast: H.Reid, Yeo, Shanahan, Robertson, Duursma, A.Reid, Graham, Duff-Tytler 
North Melbourne: Larkey, Davies-Uniacke, Sheezel, Xerri, Powell
 
INJURIES
West Coast: Edwards (concussion) 
North Melbourne: Logue (thigh)
 
Crowd: 47,083 at Optus Stadium