SUMMARY
West Coast took a step towards shedding its tag as flat-track bullies with an eight-point win against Port Adelaide last week, at Adelaide Oval. Back at home against Gold Coast, this one could get ugly. The Eagles sent the margin into triple figures against St Kilda two rounds ago and the potential is there for a similar result against the injury-riddled Suns. If the likes of Gary Ablett and Aaron Hall are fit enough to line up, Gold Coast will be much stronger and more likely to challenge the Eagles. If things get ugly though, don't be surprised if Eade throws numbers behind the ball to limit the damage.
Ball magnets Matt Priddis and Aaron Hall could lock horns on Sunday afternoon. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, May 29, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2015, Gold Coast 12.11 (83) drew with West Coast 11.17 (83) at Metricon Stadium
R7, 2015, West Coast 21.9 (135) d Gold Coast 6.7 (43) at Domain Stadium
R23, 2014, West Coast 23.13 (151) d Gold Coast 15.9 (99) at Metricon Stadium
R13, 2014, West Coast 15.13 (103) d Gold Coast 15.10 (100) at Domain Stadium
R19, 2013, West Coast 20.10 (130) d Gold Coast 17.11 (113) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Tom Lynch booted four goals and Harley Bennell had 28 disposals in the Suns' draw with the Eagles when they last played. For West Coast, Matt Priddis notched up 34 disposals and seven tackles.
2. At Domain Stadium, West Coast is one of the highest scoring teams in 2016, averaging 127 points. Gold Coast manages only 68 points when playing away.
3. The Eagles have dominated the Suns, winning six of seven matches. Three of those victories have had at least a 50-point margin, and two have exceeded 90.
4. The Suns are last for clearances, with 31.6 per game. The Eagles are ranked third, at 39.4 per game.
5. Gold Coast won at Domain Stadium for the first time ever earlier this season, defeating Fremantle in round two. The Suns had lost their previous seven matches there.
6. Two of the competition's top-five key forwards, as ranked by the Schick AFL Player Ratings, will be in this match – Lynch (third) and Josh Kennedy (fifth).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Steven May.
The gun defender was suspended when the Suns were 3-1 and the team hasn't won since. There have been other factors for their poor form, but May will stiffen up Gold Coast's backline.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 57 points
