SUMMARY

West Coast is riding strong momentum after a stunning late surge secured an unforgettable first win at Optus Stadium over Geelong and the Eagles will be determined to celebrate Mark LeCras' 200th match and Nic Naitanui's 150th game in style. The pair have been in excellent form so far in 2018, with LeCras booting eight goals and Naitanui exerting a massive influence on the Eagles' engine room coming back from his knee reconstruction. Gold Coast was disappointing against Fremantle last Saturday, suffering a first loss under Stuart Dew. The SUNS have stayed over in Perth after the game against the Dockers and will need a big performance from captain Tom Lynch if they are to score just their second win from 12 games in Perth.

WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Saturday, April 14, 6.10pm AWST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES

R11, 2017, Gold Coast 11.14 (80) d West Coast 11.11 (77) at Metricon Stadium

R10, 2016, West Coast 20.12 (132) d Gold Coast 7.13 (55) at Subiaco Oval

R18, 2015, Gold Coast 12.11 (83) drew West Coast 11.17 (83) at Metricon Stadium

R7, 2015, West Coast 21.9 (135) d Gold Coast 6.7 (43) at Subiaco Oval

R23, 2014, West Coast 23.13 (151) d Gold Coast 15.9 (99) at Metricon Stadium

THE FIVE POINTS

1. Gold Coast defeated West Coast for the first time last year. The victory was led by Gary Ablett (36 disposals) and Pearce Hanley (31), neither of whom will be playing for the SUNS on Saturday night.

2. The SUNS were smashed in contested ball by Fremantle (-19) but are still leading the League with 169.7 per game. West Coast is improving around the contest but is ranked 16th (137.3 a match).

3. Despite being without dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy, the Eagles are averaging just over 100 points (302 in three matches) with a youthful forward line. Gold Coast, averaging a touch under 75 points, will need to limit West Coast's firepower.

4. The SUNS have only started a season 3-1 or better once, in 2016, while the Eagles have started 3-1 in the past two years.

5. Gold Coast's record in Perth isn't great. The SUNS only won once at Subiaco Oval – against Fremantle in round two, 2016 – from 10 attempts and lost to the Dockers at Optus Stadium last Saturday.