Surely we are due for a win this week… right?

After a spirited performance on the weekend against our cross town rivals, I think I’m not alone in feeling positive about this one. We’ve shown some real fight in two out of our last three matches, and the circumstances just feel right to finally get a win after so long.

Last Meeting

GCS 17.10.112 def. WCE 12.3.75

Last time we met back in round 7, there was some real buzz around the club after just beating Fremantle and Richmond. The fans were humming with positivity as it looked that Yeo had recaptured his 2018 form, Harley Reid was looking like the second coming of Jesus, and Waterman had the Coleman in his sights.

Performances away from home were a worry, with multiple thumpings on unfamiliar turf on the record, but it looked like we were in the frame to end this form too.

We started well, leading at quarter time and showing some real fight, before fading in the 3rd term and ultimately losing by 37 points. There weren’t many positives to take away, however Waterman kicking another bag of 4 goals was one.

This Time Around

Almost 4 months later, we still have yet to register an away win. Only one further home win has since been recorded, that being against Melbourne in round 10. There is some (tempered) positivity with the fans however, with Gold Coast’s very poor form away from home this year being a glimmer of positivity.

Harley Reid seems to have recaptured his form from earlier in the season, registering 29 disposals and 10 clearances in a spirited performance in Derby 59 the week before.

We also have the dynamic forward duo of Allen and Waterman available this time around.

Reuben Ginbey seems to have found his comfort in a new role off half-back.

Preferred Lineup

IN: McGovern, Flynn, Hall, Dewar, Chesser, Duggan

OUT: Rotham, L.Edwards, Cripps, B. Williams, Hutchinson, Petrucelle

It was announced that Clay Hall would finally be given his debut this weekend. There is some real positivity with the fans around this kid, with him looking like he was due a debut in round 1 before a freak injury caused by Elliot Yeo in the preseason derailed his start. Since then he has performed well enough in the WAFL to get the call up this week.

Jeremy McGovern should rejoin the team this weekend, as well as Matt Flynn who put up a positive performance in the WAFL, registering 42 hitouts on reduced minutes last weekend.

The Eagles are hopeful of Zane Trew’s return, following a neck injury at the start of the match against the Dockers. Trew appears to be currently playing for his contract so should hopefully inspire a good performance for the team.

I’d like to see Dewar come in to the team for Cripps who has been performing below his standards lately, but also would not be too fussed to see Cripps given a chance given the forward pressure he can excerpt.

Funnily enough Harry Edwards featured last time against the Suns with Barrass missing due to suspension, and it appears the same duo of McGovern and H.Edwards will be our KPD choice this week also.

Key Factors

The return of a real tap ruckman

Last time around we were smashed in the ruck 63 hitouts to 18, with the experienced Jarrod Witts and Sam Day proving too much for our ruck duo of Bailey and Jack Williams. This difference in hitouts resulted in the Suns almost tripling our centre clearance count. With the return of Matt Flynn this week, a bit more service to the hands of Yeo, Kelly and Reid may really help.

Centre-Bounce Smarts

Last time around Matt Rowell had a field day, earning 7 free kicks for, and combined with the 5 Jarrod Witts received, we had a real hard time getting it out of the centre. The Eagles never seemed to wise up, and gave repeated FK’s away for holding the man and high tackles right from the centre bounce. You’d think the coaches have learnt this time around and advised the mids to be a bit more smart with their tackling for this weekend.

My Tip

I’ve got a strange positivity coming into this round and I feel like we might actually win this one. I’m gonna tip us by 20 points.