WEST Coast supporters have voiced their alarm and displeasure at a big increase in the cost of admission for next week’s historic preliminary final at Optus Stadium — with ticket prices for adults doubling for the Eagles’ biggest game at home of the year.

AFL pricing for the match puts an adult category-one ticket for the Saturday afternoon showdown at $187, more than twice the $93 price for the same ticket in week one of the finals.

Some fans told The Weekend West the price shock prompted them to downgrade their seats for what is set to be another record attendance, while others said the cost had put them off completely.

Chris Dunnell, an Eagles fan since the 1990s, said the quest for preliminary final tickets had been an eye-opener.

“You expect to pay a bit more for the finals but if you are planning a trip to the grand final as well, it definitely does start to add up,” Mr Dunnell said.

“The price meant we have gone for seats a lot further back than we have been in during the season.”

Michelle Johnson, an Eagles cheer squad member, said fans who refused to miss such a big game had no choice but to pay up.

“It might mean having to rob a bank, but you’d still go,” Ms Johnson said.

“You have got to be there for the boys.”

Brad Stone, the AFL Fans’ Association WA representative, agreed the increases were sharp — but said the prices were coming off a relatively afford-able base for the early rounds of the finals.

“Prices are always going to increase for high-demand games and the preliminary final is often the last chance fans have to see their team play in the finals,” Mr Stone said.

“Perhaps the biggest finals issue for fans is the lack of grand final tickets for competing club members.

“The competing teams share 34,000 tickets, but it should be closer to 50,000.”

Tickets for competing club members will go on sale at 9am on Monday. General public sales will open at 2pm.