West Coast vs Gold Coast Suns Tips - Suns to pick up a rare away win when they take on West Coast to conclude Round 1

West Coast begin a new era under Andrew McQualter, who takes the reigns in the coaches box after Adam Simpson’s retirement last year. 

The Eagles will be hungry for success after some disappointing seasons and went 5-18 in 2024, finishing 15th. That was an improvement on their 2022 and 2023 form that saw them win just five matches in that period. 

They head in as underdogs against the Gold Coast Suns, who also have plenty to prove. Yet to make the finals in their 14 seasons in the AFL, Damien Hardwick steered the side to 13th position in 2024 in his first year as coach of the Suns, securing 11 wins. 

The Suns went 0-9 outside of Queensland and the Norther Territory last year, including a 10 point loss to West Coast at Perth Stadium. But they will be buoyed by two late season wins on the road and come into this match as slight favourites to continue that trend. 

Gold Coast have won four of the past five matches between the two sides. The Eagles claimed the most recent encoutner, however, by 10 points at Optus Stadium in Round 21 last year. Tim Kelly had 31 disposals in that match for the Eagles, while Jake Waterman booted five goals. 

West Coast’s 2024 season was another tough chapter in their recent decline. The Eagles struggled offensively (15th in points scored) and defensively (17th in points against), with injuries to key players like Oscar Allen (limited to 11 games) and a lack of midfield depth compounding their woes. Jake Waterman’s 54-goal season and Harley Reid’s emergence as a No. 1 draft pick were huge positives. Jack Graham and Liam Baker come across from Richmond. 

The 2025 pre-season has offered more glimmers of hope for West Coast, with a faster, more dynamic game plan under McQualter taking shape. Their February 17 match simulation against Richmond at Mineral Resources Park resulted in a narrow victory, with Tyler Brockman (three goals) and Tyrell Dewar shining. The AAMI Community Series game against North Melbourne on March 1 in Bunbury saw a come-from-behind two-point win, driven by Jayden Hunt’s clutch goal and a strong showing from Liam Baker. West Coast’s form suggests potential for competitiveness, while they do enjoy the home ground advantage for this. 

The Eagles will start the 2025 season without key on-ballers Elliot Yeo and Dom Sheed (out for the season), but additions like Liam Baker and Jack Graham will add experience. Bo Allan and Reuben Ginbey are expected to make an early impact, with Allan likely to debut in Round 1. There’s also competition for key roles, including the No. 1 ruck spot, where Matt Flynn has impressed, and a wing spot between Tyrell Dewar and Jack Hutchinson.

B: R.Ginbey, H.Edwards, B.Hough

Gold Coast’s 2024 season under Damien Hardwick started with promise but ended in familiar disappointment, given they boast a powerful midfield unit of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson, and Matt Rowell. The second half of 2024 saw the Suns fade, winning just three of their last 11 games. Kicking inefficiencies (17th for efficiency) and turnover (16th) evened out their contested ball dominance (7th in differential). Off-season additions like Daniel Rioli, John Noble, and top draftee Leo Lombard may sharpen their edge, though Lombard’s shoulder injury in pre-season is a setback.

In the pre-season the Gold Coast have shown promisein match simulation wins against Brisbane and Collingwood with Rioli and Noble impressing. The AAMI Community Series saw a loss to Sydney (84-63) with not much going right on the injury front injury but Noah Anderson’s 35-disposal effort as new captain was a highlight. The Suns had a false start in the Opening Round with their scheduled match against Essendon postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. 

Gold Coast will be without developing forward Jed Walter for Round 1 due to a VFL suspension, and several key players are also facing injury concerns, including David Swallow (possible PCL injury) and Sam Flanders (back issue), with both likely to miss the opening round. Joel Jeffrey impressed in the pre-season, earning a spot on the bench, while Daniel Rioli and John Noble will provide valuable experience across the half-back line. Additionally, draftee Leo Lombard is unavailable due to a shoulder injury, delaying his AFL debut.