Where and when: Optus Stadium, Saturday, May 2, 2.15pm
TV: Delayed until 4pm on 7 and 7plus in WA, nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo (see broadcast guide here)
Last time we met: Richmond 16.9 (105) defeated West Coast 8.8 (56) at Optus Stadium, Round 19, 2025.
Richmond produced a decisive third-quarter surge to defeat West Coast at Optus Stadium, turning a tight contest into a one-sided result. The Eagles were right in the game at half-time after a strong opening half, before sustained Tiger pressure and turnover scoring broke the match open after the main break. Harley Reid was a standout for West Coast, finishing with 27 disposals and two goals, as the Eagles showed promise early before Richmond seized control.
What it means for the Eagles: A win against Richmond would be an important response for West Coast after a heavy loss to St Kilda. Having shown promising signs early in the season, the youthful Eagles’ form has dropped away over the past month and they will refocus on bringing pressure and intensity to Optus Stadium.
The stat: Richmond were West Coast’s first AFL opponent, with the Eagles claiming a 14-point win in Round 1, 1987.
The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Dion Prestia
A classic midfield arm-wrestle shapes as one of the key battlegrounds on Saturday, with two of the competition’s toughest midfield bulls going head-to-head in Elliot Yeo and Richmond’s Dion Prestia. Yeo’s power, defensive edge and presence at the contest will be central to West Coast’s ability to set the tone around stoppages, while Prestia’s strength, work rate and composure under pressure make him one of the Tigers’ most reliable inside midfielders.
It’s a big week for: Liam Baker
It’s a big week for the Eagles’ co-captain, who comes up against his former club for the third time since arriving in the blue and gold. Still chasing his first win against his old side, the occasion carries added motivation as the Eagles look to respond strongly and rediscover their early-season edge.
Big call: The Eagles tighten up defensively and hold Richmond to the lowest score by an opposition team this season.
