What’s On | Gather Round
Geelong Cats v West Coast Eagles
Sunday, April 12 | 12:00pm (ACST) | Norwood Oval / Kaurna

This Sunday, we take on the Cats at Norwood Oval in Gather Round. Tickets are currently exhausted for this match, however, tickets may become available due to ticket returns. Check here for availability.

Captain's Run

All eagles fans are invited to the Club's Captain's Run at Hisense Stadium (57 Milner Road, Richmond) on Saturday, April 11 from 10.00am. Entry is via Peacock Avenue, with gates opening from 9.00am.

A limited quantity of our 2026 Gather Round range, including the sold-out guernsey, will be available to purchase at the Captain's Run!

West Coast Eagles player appearances

Meet some of your favourite Eagles players on the Centre Bounce Stage at the Footy Festival on Thursday, April 9 from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.

What's on at the four-day Footy Festival

Located at Elder Park, the 2026 Footy Festival will run from Thursday, April 9 until Sunday, April 12. The four-day festival will be full of free activities and entertainment for all ages:

• Firework show – half-time at Thursday night’s match
• Zip line – everyday at the Play Zone, 10.00am to 7.00pm, subject to booking
• Live music – located at the main stage across Thursday, Friday, Saturday
• Fun for the kids – games, styling, roving performer’s, kids entertainment and NEW AFL26 playing station
• Sunday morning surprise visit from Bluey

Plus Top the Torrens, big screen match highlights, player appearances and signings, and more!

Special offer at The Republic Norwood

West Coast Eagles members will enjoy 20% off all menu items at The Republic Norwood this Gather Round.

Simply present your 2026 West Coast Eagles membership via the Club app when dining between April 9 and 12, to redeem the offer.

Ball in The Mall

Located in Rundle Mall beside the giant gold inflatable Sherrin, the four-zone activation features accessible activities; Trickshot Arena, interactive arcade games, styling bar and music. Get In On It.

For more information, including player appearances, view the Event Schedule.

Run 4 Your Club

This Gather Round, fans don’t just cheer – they compete.

Join Run 4 Your Club, a 4km run or walk where supporters from all 18 AFL clubs battle for off-field bragging rights ($10 entry).

Saturday, April 11 from 8.00am at Elder Park, Adelaide.

Be a part of Sunrise's live broadcast

You’re invited to be a part of the live broadcast for Sunrise on 7 at Elder Park on Friday, April 10 from 5.00am to 8.30am, where you can expect special guests and giveaways all morning.

Don't forget to wear your blue and gold!

Free Bounce Around The Barossa shuttle bus

It’s easy to explore the Barossa with the FREE Bounce Around The Barossa shuttle buses operating across AFL Gather Round from Thursday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12. Explore over 55 local businesses and townships at your own pace! Hop on and off to enjoy tastings, long lunches and unique Barossa experiences. Stay tuned to the official AFL social channels, AFL live app and GATHERROUND.AFL for all the latest news, event and player appearance updates.

Where and when: Norwood Oval, Sunday, April 12, 12pm (10.30am WST)

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

Last time we met: Geelong 17.14 (116) defeated West Coast 11.7 (73) at Optus Stadium, Round 12, 2025.

West Coast trailed by just seven points early in the final term and had chances to close further, but the Cats piled on seven of the next eight goals, with Jeremy Cameron exploding late to finish with five majors. Liam Baker was prolific with 29 disposals, while Harley Reid, Elijah Hewett and Kelly were among the Eagles’ best.

What it means for the Eagles: A win over Geelong at Gather Round would be the ideal response after a 128-point hammering against Sydney at Optus Stadium last Saturday. It’s a chance to show the group can reset quickly and, ideally, deliver a four-quarter performance after starting slowly in all four matches this season. There’s also the added symbolism of wearing the club’s throwback ochre guernsey which was first worn in round one of the 2000 season, when West Coast marked the occasion with a win over the reigning premiers North Melbourne, and hasn’t been seen on-field since 2002.

The stat: The Eagles have never played for premiership points at Norwood Oval. The narrower dimensions are set to drive a fierce inside battle, with limited space to spread the field and tackling numbers likely to spike for midfielders.

The match-up: Bailey Smith v Dev Robertson

A fascinating midfield duel on Sunday will see Robertson return from a one‑match suspension to face Geelong ball‑winner Smith, who comes off a dominant 33‑disposal performance against Hawthorn last week. Smith’s running power and ability to spread from stoppage make him a key driver of the Cats’ ball movement, while Robertson brings trademark pressure, physicality and contest work to the Eagles’ midfield. On the tighter confines of Norwood Oval, Robertson’s ability to limit Smith’s time and space while making an impact of his own could play a defining role in shaping the contest.

It’s a big week for: Bailey Williams

Williams returns to the AFL stage after an interrupted pre-season that limited him with a groin issue. The ruckman tuned up strongly through the WAFL last week with a dominant performance and now gets his first opportunity in 2026 at the top level, where his follow-up work, physical presence and competitiveness around the contest will be crucial against a formidable Geelong midfield.

Big call: Jack Graham will set the standard around the contest, finishing the game with a game‑high 10+ tackle count.

Geelong's five-goal burst late in the first half has shaken off West Coast and set up its 46-point win in Gather Round on Sunday.

Rebounding from a 128-point Sydney hammering last week, the Eagles bounced back but ultimately were outclassed by the Cats, who won 17.20 (122) to 11.10 (76) at Norwood Oval.

There were multiple lead changes in the first half as the Eagles had the first four scoring shots, but only managed one goal.

The Eagles were right in the contest until the Cats broke the game open late in the second quarter.

With eight minutes to go, Geelong led by one point, but a run of five consecutive goals before half-time set up its win.

A toe poke from Brad Close started the run and Mark O'Connor kicked two majors as the purple patch helped the Cats into a five-goal half-time lead.

The third stanza was a hard-fought affair with four goals apiece before the Cats cruised to their third victory for the season, leaving West Coast at 2-3. 

Young Eagles key forward Jobe Shanahan impressed again, kicking four goals, while Tom McCarthy had a team-high 28 disposals.

Bailey Williams had an impact in the ruck in his first game for the year, collecting 20 disposals, with seven clearances and 35 hit-outs. 

Young gun Reuben Ginbey had an engrossing battle with superstar forward Jeremy Cameron (three goals), while Liam Duggan (22 disposals) was tough in the contest and young guns Willem Duursma (20 disposals, one goal) and Harley Reid (22, one) had their moments.

Deven Robertson, who returned to the Eagles' side from suspension, limped off in the last quarter with a knee injury.

For the Cats, Mark O'Connor kicked three goals – the first multiple-goal game in his 151-game career, and the Irishman had the better of an entertaining duel with No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma.

Max Holmes had a polished game off half-back, racking up 34 disposals, while Tanner Bruhn and Tom Atkins were prolific in the midfield. 

Bailey Smith was in everything, amassing 16 inside 50s and had 34 disposals, with seven clearances and a goal.

The crowd of 9434 is a record for Gather Round games at the inner-suburban Parade venue.

GEELONG 4.5 10.8 14.13 17.20 (122)
WEST COAST 3.4 5.8 9.8 11.10 (76)
 
GOALS
Geelong: O'Connor 3, Cameron 3, Neale 2, Henry 2, Close 2, Worpel, Wiltshire, Smith, De Koning, Bowes
West Coast: Shanahan 4, Waterman, Schoenberg, H.Reid, Owies, Graham, Duursma, Baker
 
BEST
Geelong: Smith, Bruhn, Holmes, O'Connor, Worpel, Atkins
West Coast: Ginbey, Shanahan, Williams, Kelly, McCarthy, Duursma
 
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
West Coast: Robertson (knee)
 
Crowd: 9434 at Norwood Oval