RECAP: West Coast Eagles cop 87-point drubbing at the hands of Gold Coast Suns to open season 2025
Footy’s back in WA for the first time in 2025!
Follow all the action as West Coast look to get the Andrew McQualter era off to a strong start against Gold Coast, with bouncedown set for 3.10pm WA time at Optus Stadium.
Allen with a captain’s goal
Gold Coast are dominating the territory at the moment.
But the Eagles find an out and Matt Owies takes a great contested mark in the middle.
He finds Allen on the 50 in the right pocket. He goes back and launches it and West Coast have two goals from outside 50.
WCE 2.0 (12) GC 1.1 (7)
Waterman with a bomb!
McGovern intercepts in defence and Reuben Ginbey gets them going up the wing.
Jake Waterman takes a strong contested mark on 50 and he wheels around to convert from outside the arc.
Great goal.
WCE 1.0 (6) GC 1.0 (6)
Gold Coast goals early
Hot start for the Suns as they get a free kick out of the middle.
He outbodies Jeremy McGovern who is upset not to get the whistle.
He converts and the Suns open the scoring
We’re underway
Oscar Allen calls correctly and the Eagles will kick towards the northern end.
Brockman, Cole, A Reid and Hewett on the bench.
Tim Kelly starts in the forward line Dewar in defence.
Hunter tribute
There’s applause around the ground as Adam Hunter is displayed on the screens in a tribute to the fallen Eagle.
A touching video follows praising “our kid from South Bunbury.”
Defensive switch for Dewar?
The Eagles young gun who has predominately played as a forward in his fledgling career is warming up with the Eagles defenders.
Perhaps they are hoping to use his dash off half-back? We’ll wait and see
The teams are on the field
The old West Coast tune rings out as Jake Waterman and Liam Duggan are the first through the banner which reads: “We’ve got some fresh faces, brought back some things, with ‘Mini’ McQualter, our next chapter begins.”
Loud cheers for the old tune though the Eagles banner was tearing up before the players reached it.
Gold Coast made a cheeky reference to the Eagles change of tune with their banner.
“Our Suns are fearless, lets start on the right track. Well take down the Eagles even with their old song back”
Live and local
Today is also significant in Seven having its own live and local commentary team in the house!
Flick on Seven and Seven Plus to see experts Ben Cousins, Mark LeCras and Sean McManus flanked by callers Ryan Daniels and Mark Readings on the broadcast... they’ll give you the call that West Aussie fans deserve!
Gaff gratitude
Eagles fans have shown their appreciation for Andrew Gaff, who’s midway through his lap of honour around the boundary here at Optus.
Gaff has young son Harvey on his lap as they both wave to the crowd from the back of a Toyota Hilux.
Hasleby’s say
In his exclusive column in today’s The Sunday Times, Paul Hasleby outlines how the players and club would be feeling under new coaching management - and recalls his own experience with a new mentor that led to “Operation Hasleby”.
