Follow live: West Coast Eagles take on Gold Coast in season opener at Optus Stadium
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.
Waterman worries
He had calf soreness leading into the match but was cleared to play.
But his day ended early as he was put on ice.
Early analysis
FULL-TIME West Coast 7.7 (49) Gold Coast 20.16 (136)
Gold Coast record the biggest ever win in their history with the 87 point margin surpassing their 86-point win over Hawthorn in 2017.
A sharp snap back to reality after the goodwill during their pre-season.
Jarrod Witts finishes with 68 hitouts in an awesome performance while Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell both had 30-plus disposals.
Ben King had six goals and a potential mark of the year contender.
Jack Graham a bright spot for the Eagles 23 touches and 10 tackles.
Liam Baker had 21 disposals but a lot to work to do.
Oscar Allen breaks the run
Eagles manage to lock in the forward half. Elijah Hewett sends it to the square and Allen flies to take a strong contested grab.
WC 7.6 (48) GC 20.15 (135)
Rioli has another
The only thing left for the Eagles is try and keep this under a 100 points.
Suns cycle the handbells to get past the Eagles defence and Rioli runs into an open goal.
WC 6.6 (42) GC 20.15 (135)
Crowd figure
46,532 fans rocked up today. It’s been a sobering afternoon.
King has six
Suns win the contest and it’s all Gold Coast jumpers.
King gets another uncontested mark and makes no mistake this time to kick a career high sixth goal.
WC 6.6 (42) 19.15 (129)
Ben Long has another
The Suns force another turnover on the wing.
The work it to Long who’s in the pocket but his snap is perfect to pile on more pain.
Oscar Allen limps off the ground. Jack Hutchinson has been off the ground for 12 minutes and doesn’t look like coming back on.
WC 6.6 (42) 18.15 (123)
Embarrassing stuff
Suns stream forward after winning the ball off half back.
McGovern looks to stop but the hand ball to Baker is awful and it turns over to three Suns attackers and Rogers has a third.
Rogers adds another
Another centre clearance for the Suns that’s number 14 for the game to the Eagles’ 3.
Rogers with the uncontested mark and goal from directly in front.
WC 6.6 (42) GC 16.12 (108)
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