RECAP: West Coast Eagles beaten by Gold Coast Suns
West Coast started their 2026 campaign with four debutants but were taught a lesson by top-four fancies Gold Coast.
No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Josh Lindsay and Milan Murdock all marked their first AFL appearance at People’s First Stadium while former Lion Deven Robertson and former Tiger Tylar Young made their club debuts.
Meanwhile, Jack Graham notched 150 AFL games in his second season in blue and gold.
Recap all the action from our blog.
That’s a wrap!
And that brings the first round of West Coast and Fremantle’s 2026 campaigns to an end.
Neither side could nab the W but both showed positive signs that will hopefully unfold throughout the season.
We will be back next week with the Dockers and Eagles both playing at Optus Stadium against Victorian opposition.
Until then, goodnight!
Coaches' say
Andrew McQualter has had his say on the defeat.
What’s next?
West Coast face their first game against North Melbourne at Optus next Sunday.
It’s their first chance to see if they have made some progress from last year against an opposition that appears closer to their weight class.
However, the Roos did beat Port earlier today so it could be a good contest.
Moment of the night?
Did Harley Reid’s brutal fend off on Noah Anderson bring anyone a smile?
And notice Murdock’s work to make it happen.
ANALYSIS: Glass half-empty or half-full?
Whether you were disappointed or heartened by West Coast’s first game of their 2026 campaign probably depends on how you see the world.
Read our full Eagles analysis here.
MATCH REPORT
It could have been an ugly night for the Eagles but they showed fight after halftime.
Read the full match report below.
ICYMI
Murdock was arguably the best Eagle a field today.
Relive his maiden AFL major below.
Debutant watch
Duursma - 14 disposlals, five tackles, one clearance
Murdock - 2 goals, 22 touches, five tackles, four clearances
Lindsay - 16 disposals, three tackles
Duff-Tytler - eight disposals, five tackles, five hitouts, two clearances
FT: Suns 131, Eagles 72
The Suns run out big winners as they deserved to do.
They were far too good for the Eagles but the visitors at least showed they can compete in the second half.
At the long break it seemed the Suns were a shoe-in for a 100-point win but West Coast showed spirit in the second half to save some blushes.
Reid finishes as the Eagles’ leading ball getter with Murdock just one touch behind him.
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