AFL: West Coast have been on a dramatic slide since winning two of their first three games to start 2026 but will hope to turn things around against GWS.
After a fighting second half against Melbourne at Marvel last week the Eagles, who have adopted the name Waalitij Marawar for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, will hope a better start can give them a chance at victory.
Aaron Cadman and Jake Stringer strike imposing figures up forward for the visitors but West Coast won’t have to tackle Jesse Hogan with their undermanned defence.
They will also desperately hope co-captains Liam Baker and Liam Duggan find some form to lead the youngsters like Josh Lindsay and Willem Duursma who have started their careers with promise.
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HT: West Coast 46, Greater Western Sydney 32
The second quarter belonged to the Eagles and Harley Reid.
The young gun made a poor error late but he has driven them into the lead.
He has 19 touches, three clearances and two majors through the first half and meant business from the start.
Clayton Oliver was sensational in the first term but they put some work into him and he slowed right down.
Williams leads the hitouts with 19 and started to find some to advantage as well.
The Eagles are running at 77.7 per cent disposal efficiency which makes all the difference alongside their superb pressure.
The real question is can they keep doing it for four quarters because the Giants will respond with force.
Best patch
This is the best sustained patch of play the Eagles have produced since their round two win over North Melbourne.
It was the end of the first and start of the second quarters that hurt them last week but they have answered the call today.
Their pressure is up and the Giants midfield can’t get the footy.
Reid grabs a second after a free kick that came after he missed the highlight-reel major.
WCE 40, GWS 26
Turnovers
West Coast force another turnover, this time from the kick in by Davis, and Waterman gives the home side a buffer.
The big forward looks aweful from the set shot but his snap was on point.
WCE 27, GWS 19
In front!
Out of nowhere the Eagles are in front!
Shanahan squeezes one through from the set shot and the Eagles are up and about for the fight.
They are getting their ball movement rolling with handballs and for once their effort is making up for the errors.
They are also winning the ground contest in this quarter.
The crowd is smaller than normal but they are getting loud.
WCE 20, GWS 19
Rewarded!
The Eagles have started the second quarter with their best patch of footy and get rewarded with a goal.
Their hunt and pressure was good and they finally locked it inside 50.
Reid gets on the end of it after a good chase down by Williams forced the turnover.
Baker’s kick was clever to find the young bull who nails the set shot.
WCE 14, GWS 18
QT: West Coast 8, Greater Western Sydney 18
The Eagles may only be 10 points behind but that is flattering.
They have been monstered in the contest and are very slow with ball in hand.
Shanahan and Waterman have shown strong moments but the slow ball movement makes their job difficult.
This contest would already be over if the Giants kicked straight so there’s some hope for the home side.
Missed chances
The Giants are beating the Eagles with behinds at this point.
West Coast had the ball at their end for five minutes but couldn’t manage to score and the Giants cut them to shreds on the counter.
However, they have now kicked 2.6 which keeps the Eagles on the board.
WCE 8, GWS 18
Smoked
West Coast are winning the hitouts comfortably but are getting smoked everywhere else.
The Giants have won more than double the ground ball contests and they lead the disposal count by more than 20.
The inside 50 count is also extremely concerning considering how undermanned the Eagles already are.
WCE 7, GWS 15
Goal apiece
A fast start to this one.
Daniels gets the first of the day for the Giants after a clever soccer took a leg break in the goal square.
The Eagles respond through a clearance with Hutchinson getting a high-contact free kick.
WCE 6, GWS 6
Underway!
Yeo, Kelly and Reid attend the first bounce and win the ball out but turn it over at half forward.
Murdock starts on the wing today.
WCE 0, GWS 0
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