SUMMARY
West Coast is riding strong momentum after a stunning late surge secured an unforgettable first win at Optus Stadium over Geelong and the Eagles will be determined to celebrate Mark LeCras' 200th match and Nic Naitanui's 150th game in style. The pair have been in excellent form so far in 2018, with LeCras booting eight goals and Naitanui exerting a massive influence on the Eagles' engine room coming back from his knee reconstruction. The Eagles hope to regain spearhead Josh Kennedy from injury, but a youthful forward line has exceeded expectations in his absence and West Coast's firepower will worry the Suns. Gold Coast was disappointing against Fremantle last Saturday, suffering a first loss under Stuart Dew. The Suns have stayed over in Perth after selling that 'home' game to the Dockers and will need a big performance from co-captain Tom Lynch if they are to score just their second win from 12 games in Perth.
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Saturday, April 14, 6.10pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R11, 2017, Gold Coast 11.14 (80) d West Coast 11.11 (77) at Metricon Stadium
R10, 2016, West Coast 20.12 (132) d Gold Coast 7.13 (55) at Subiaco Oval
R18, 2015, Gold Coast 12.11 (83) drew West Coast 11.17 (83) at Metricon Stadium
R7, 2015, West Coast 21.9 (135) d Gold Coast 6.7 (43) at Subiaco Oval
R23, 2014, West Coast 23.13 (151) d Gold Coast 15.9 (99) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Gold Coast defeated West Coast for the first time last year. The victory was led by Gary Ablett (36 disposals) and Pearce Hanley (31), neither of whom will be playing for the Suns on Saturday night.
2. The Suns were smashed in contested ball by Fremantle (-19) but are still leading the League with 169.7 per game. West Coast is improving around the contest but is ranked 16th (137.3 a match).
3. Despite being without dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy, the Eagles are averaging just over 100 points (302 in three matches) with a youthful forward line. Gold Coast, averaging a touch under 75 points, will need to limit West Coast's firepower.
4. The Suns have only started a season 3-1 or better once, in 2016, while the Eagles have started 3-1 in the past two years.
5. Gold Coast's record in Perth is terrible. The Suns only won once at Subiaco Oval – against Fremantle in round two, 2016 – from 10 attempts and lost to the Dockers at Optus Stadium last Saturday.
6. Rejuvenated veteran Mark LeCras has booted eight goals in three games and is climbing back up the Schick AFL Player Ratings. The 31-year-old slumped to 209th overall last year but is now 163rd and rising.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Classy forward Mark LeCras and talismanic ruckman Nic Naitanui had their trials and tribulations last year but have started 2018 in blazing form. It will be a special moment for both players and the club if the Eagles can secure victory over the Suns.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 32 points
