SUMMARY
West Coast's new era at Optus Stadium will fittingly kick off against the club's one-time arch-rival Sydney in a Sunday evening blockbuster to close round one. Hype around the contest has been building since the Eagles won a bitter stoush with Fremantle to host the first game at the 60,000-seat venue, but will go into overdrive if West Coast confirms star ruckman Nic Naitanui will be picked for his long-awaited comeback from his knee reconstruction. Naitanui's return would boost a midfield which was lacklustre last year and has its question marks heading into 2018 without Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell. There will be no better test than against the Swans' powerful engine room, even if Dan Hannebery (calf) isn't available and with yet-to-debut Darcy Cameron leading the ruck. As ever, Lance Franklin looms as the Swans' trump card and at the other end West Coast could feel the absence of spearhead Josh Kennedy (ankle) in a new-look forward setup.
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Sunday, March 25, 4.20pm AWST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2017, West Coast Eagles 13.13 (91) d Sydney Swans 10.5 (65) at Subiaco Oval
R5, 2016, Sydney Swans 12.16 (88) d West Coast Eagles 7.7 (49) at the SCG
R17, 2015, West Coast Eagles 15.13 (103) d Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) at Subiaco Oval
R16, 2014, Sydney Swans 10.19 (79) d West Coast Eagles 7.9 (51) at Subiaco Oval
R17, 2013, Sydney Swans 17.11 (113) d West Coast Eagles 11.13 (79) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles had 35 more disposals and 12 more inside 50s last time they met. Luke Shuey was best on ground with 30 touches, one goal, seven tackles, four inside 50s and six clearances.
2. West Coast has won two of the last three clashes, ending the Swans' dominance of eight consecutive wins in 2008-14.
3. Both sides were strong contested marking teams in 2017. During the home and away season the Eagles were ranked third and Sydney fifth. Jeremy McGovern (61) led the competition.
4. Sydney was a long kicking side last year, ranking third during the regular season. West Coast used shorter passes, ranking sixth overall for short kicks.
5. The all-time WA attendance record for a VFL/AFL game will be broken at Optus Stadium. The current record is 44,142 when West Coast lost to Hawthorn in the 1991 qualifying final at Subiaco.
6. Nic Naitanui climbed to fourth overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings before rupturing his ACL in round 22, 2016. Since then the star ruckman has slid to 292th position.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
It's not certain yet that Nic Naitanui will play but it appears increasingly likely the talismanic Eagle will make his long-awaited return to football at Optus Stadium's blockbuster opening. The hype will be incredible.
AFL.com.au PREDICTION: Sydney by 15 points.
