Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, July 24, 2.40pm
TV: Live on 7mate in WA, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.
Last time we met: West Coast 14.10 (94) def. St Kilda 13.8 (86) at Optus Stadium, round 19, 2021
In the corresponding round and same day last year the Eagles hung on for a tense victory, with dead-eye midfielder Dom Sheed slotting the sealer late on his trusty left boot. West Coast led by 25 points at three-quarter time before the Saints surged in front of 43,657 fans. Forward tyro Max King was the dangerman, booting six goals for the visitors, while West Coast twin towers Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling kicked three apiece. Sheed finished with 32 touches and two goals, while Tim Kelly had 26 disposals and a major in the Eagles’ 10th victory for the campaign.
What it means for the Eagles: It’s the second-last home game for West Coast this year and the team will be determined to reward fans who have stuck fat through a trying campaign. There have been clear signs of growth since the bye, and while the Saints will be desperate with their season on the line, the Eagles will expect to match St Kilda’s intensity and attempt to win a second home game for 2022.
The stat: West Coast has won both games against St Kilda at Optus, but only narrowly, with a 13-point triumph in 2018 and eight-point victory last year.
The match-up: Tom Barrass v Max King
Barrass was involved in the key match-up last round against Hawthorn star Mitch Lewis, but it was star goalsneak Luke Breust (six goals) who was the difference. This round, Max King looms as the obvious stumbling block for the Eagles after his six-goal haul last year almost dragged the Saints over the line. Barrass was in superb touch last round with 30 disposals and 18 marks, while holding Lewis goalless, and will need to be at the top of his game again to quell St Kilda’s spearhead.
It’s a big week for: Jai Culley
The dreadlocked midfielder from Dandenong impressed on debut at the MCG, gathering 12 disposals with 11 tackles and seven clearances, but now he gets to run out in front of the blue and gold faithful for the first time at Optus Stadium. It’s another experience he isn’t likely to forget as he attempts to forge his way at AFL level.
Big call: Xavier O’Neill to build on last week’s promising effort by collecting a personal best 25+ disposals and six clearances in his 20th senior game.
