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.
What to watch for
There’s a few points of interest in the early stages as we head into this one.
Andrew Gaff will get a pre-game lap of honour as Eagles fans say thanks to their all-time leading ballwinner following his retirement at the end of last season.
The West Coast song will be played as the club takes to the turf, with a return to the old anthem that ran up until the end of 2019 in play for what will be a popular return.
And once the real stuff begins, McQualter will be looking to follow in the footsteps of each of the six permanent West Coast coaches before him - Alexander, Todd, Malthouse, Judge, Worsfold and Simpson - in notching a win in his first game at the helm. No pressure!
New era
It’s the first game for Andrew McQualter in charge of West Coast, and Eagles fans will be hoping to see some signs of the quicker, slicker game style that’s been floated across the summer.
New faces in Liam Baker, Jack Graham and Matt Owies all take to the Optus Stadium turf this afternoon after crossing from rival clubs, while there’s an AFL debut for Archer Reid, West Coast’s second pick from the 2023 draft who’ll split his time between forward and ruck.
It’s a cracking day here in Perth and the Optus turf looks a treat ahead of the bounce.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the return of AFL footy in WA for 2025!
The Eagles are in action against Gold Coast, with bouncedown set for 3.10pm.
The early team news has just dropped, and there are no late changes. Ryan Maric will be West Coast’s sub.
