Round 8 starts off in style at Patersons Stadium with two sides desperate to get back into the top eight – the West Coast Eagles front up against North Melbourne. Live scores and commentary begins from 8.40pm AEST.
Both teams started the season poorly with just one win from the opening five rounds, but now one of these teams will break even by the end of tonight.
West Coast has been ravaged with injuries for the opening few weeks with a raft of their key players out of action.
That has now balanced out with the Eagles now close to full strength leading into this game against the Kangaroos.
How you’re able to fit in Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten, Beau Waters, Mark Nicoski and Andrew Embley back into the team without leaving out some other talented players means the Eagles are now well set for a serious tilt back at the top level.
The fact the Eagles has a relatively soft draw up until the bye means they can chance themselves against the slightly weaker sides – but this is not the opportunity.
Sure, West Coast could rest of last year’s demolition elimination final at home where they absolutely steamrolled the Kangaroos for pace and won by 96 points.
But the Eagles haven’t been stellar yet in 2013.
Last week’s win against the Brisbane Lions was gutsy, but at the same time below their best.
We’ve seen fadeouts from them for most of the season – and that could have to do with the injury list they had.
So now that they’re all fresh and at home, there shouldn’t be any excuses.
North Melbourne has had one of the toughest opening draws in the competition, facing the likes of Hawthorn, Sydney, Geelong and Collingwood very early.
They had some close calls that could have easily gone their way, but instead found themselves in the same predicament as the Eagles.
But some solid wins against Port Adelaide in Hobart and the Western Bulldogs has them back on track.
Brent Harvey’s return last week was very pleasing with 19 disposals, seven Inside 50’s and a goal in a team performance that was very even across the board.
A lot of interest will be on Andrew Swallow (if he starts) after what could have very easily have been a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a possible knee injury.
His sustained run will be crucial to the Kangaroos for them to stay in the contest as long as possible.
Most of the stats are even between the two teams in 2013, except for the Inside 50 count, which the Kangaroos are +7 against the Eagles.
Contested ball is going to be very important tonight, a stat North Melbourne has been impressive in of late.
The Kangaroos have racked up 51 more contested possessions than their opposition in their last two matches, while West Coast were level with Brisbane last week and behind the Bulldogs despite a 70-point win.
But you can give me and most footy fans all the stats in the world for tonight’s game – they just want to see Nic Naitanui versus Majak Daw as the two shining lights in this one.
Both players come from international backgrounds, but have brought some amazing highlights in their short time.
Majak Daw is just four games into his AFL career but has already monstered his way as a key forward for the Kangas, last week bagging six goals in a dominant display.
While Nic Naitanui will once again excite around the ground with his amazing leap at ruck contests and ever-building confidence with the ball.
If anything, that is certainly worth the price of admission tonight at Patersons Stadium.
If you don’t have a ticket, put the TV on, switch on the wireless and join in the conversation with us at The Roar as we bring you a Friday Night special in Perth.
Bruce Lee
Guest
Haha just like my mother. Another tormented Dockers fan. xx chin up
bryan
Guest
How do you know that the jet that just arrived is full of Victorians? The whining continues when the engines are turned off! :)
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Heh, teams lost more than heritage in the grounds rationalisation move.
Devo
Guest
I don't go for either team but it looked to me that the umpires were very quick to give wce a free kick for almost any chance they could. You do expect though. It has been going on a long time. Everyone knows whether they admit it or not. It is sad for teams that need to compete with it when they come to Perth.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
That in the back thing is something that happens to us a lot, kinda frustrating but them's the break.
Stavros
Guest
The last free kick probably was there, but I didn't think Shuey's was. The bottom line is that North allowed West Coast to kick the last three goals. Also, Glass getting off was the correct decision.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Nearly burst on my living room floor!
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Which was funny because the Leigh Adams tackle WASN'T fine according to the interpretations employed all season (and the seasons before that).
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Oh please, like the Freo crowd doesn't have the same effect.
Jimbo
Guest
West Coast pay the umpires ?, but the Dockers don't ?, is this what you are saying ?. :) Does Ross Lyon know about this !.
Rhys
Guest
bruce im guessing you did not watch the game on foxsports. you can clearly hear the umpire saying leigh adams tackle was approved they paid the free kick saying swallows knee hit his head in the replay it clearly didn't which makes it more of a joke.
Sandy
Guest
Welcome to WA,I live in WA, and have seen this for yes, not with Freo but always with WC, free kicks always more, umps fav WC, WC playing continually for frees and getting them, I , and many others no WC pay the umps just like they pay their way out of tribunals (last one Glass??)paid their way out of the drug culture(still happening).the supporters don't care how they win as long as they do, they r a disgrace to the AFL...
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
If this was the Nic Nat and Majak Daw show, well, one of them rose to the occasion.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
No lopsided 38-15 free kick count like North Melbourne got against Port Adelaide, anyway.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Don't care about anything else - Nic Nat took a ginormous clutch pack mark, went back and kicked a game-winner after the siren. I don't care about anything else. Every last whinging so and so can go dunk their heads. Naitanui, you legend.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
You are filthy AND one eyed, bad combo.
Brad
Guest
Brad Scott worst SPORT ????.......are you serious. He handled himself EXTREMELY well considering the rubbish the umpires dealt his team. Get yourself a copy of the game and watch it again. A joke
Brad
Guest
The Roos were robbed by the umpires tonight against The Eagles.......good to see Brad Scott bite his tongue though at the post match media conference. I don't know how he did it. Too many bad decisions against them cost them the game. Not good for travelling teams coming to Perth if they are gonna be dealt that rubbish by the umpires. And I don't even barrack for North.
Bruce Lee
Guest
Clearly you have the blinkers on buddy. That was one of the crudest over the shoulder attacks I have witnessed in recent memory. In fact that tackler should audition for WWE. Brutus Beefcake would have been proud !!!
pope paul v11
Guest
Thanks TSF