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The West Coast Eagles are suddenly back in form after a narrow loss last week, and will be out for their first victory since Round 4 against the travelling Essendon. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 8:40pm (AEST).
The Bombers head in off the back of a stirring victory over St Kilda, just their second of the season. With a new-look, aggressive game style, the red and black looked every inch the side that made a stunning run to the finals last season.
However, they head west without in-form half-back Andrew McGrath, while gun midfielder Darcy Parish will miss another week with a corked calf. However, important pair Will Snelling and Kyle Langford have been named in their stead for just their second games of the season.
The Eagles didn’t get the four points, but were almost as impressive in taking the fight right up to Geelong. With a number of big names back, Adam Simpson’s side looked genuinely competitive for the first time in weeks, and now appears well set to at least salvage some pride from the wreckage of a dismal 2022.
However, star backman Jeremy McGovern and midfielder Dom Sheed have been ruled out with injury, offsetting the returns of goalsneak Liam Ryan and gun mid Tim Kelly.
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Game information
Opening bounce: 8:40pm (AEST) Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth TV: Fox Footy Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go Betting: Eagles $2.70, Bombers $1.47 (odds via PlayUp)
West Coast
B: S. Hurn, T. Barrass, L. Duggan
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HB: J. Jones, J. Rotham, E. Yeo
C: C. West, T. Kelly, J. Redden
HF: J. Cripps, J. Darling, W. Rioli
F: L. Ryan, J. Kennedy, J. Waterman
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FOLL: B. Williams, L. Shuey (c), A. Gaff
I/C: B. Hough, J. Petruccelle, R. Bazzo, C. Jamieson
EMG: A. Witherden, L. Foley, G. Clark, H. Edwards
IN: Rotham, Ryan, Kelly
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OUT: Sheed, Nelson, McGovern
Essendon
B: J. Kelly, J. Laverde, J. Ridley
HB: M. Redman, D. Heppell (c), N. Hind
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C: W. Snelling, Z. Merrett, S. Durham
HF: D. Shiel, K. Langford, M. D’Ambrosio
F: P. Wright, J. Stringer, H. Jones
FOLL: S. Draper, J. Caldwell, N. Martin
I/C: B. Hobbs, A. Perkins, N. Bryan, M. Guelfi
EMG: T. Cutler, B. Zerk-Thatcher, B. Ham, A. Waterman
