WHERE AND WHEN: Patersons Stadium, Saturday 4 June, 1.10pm
HEAD TO HEAD: N/A
LAST TIME: N/A
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: West Coast: WLWWL Gold Coast: LWLBL
SUMMARY
As we approach the half-way mark of the season, most punters wouldn't have predicted the Suns to have two wins on the board.
The new kids on the block have surprised many sides, in particular Port Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions, and their first-half effort against Geelong last Saturday night really showed the potential that lies within the side.
Sustaining that endeavor both physically and mentally for four-quarters is the key, and an area which coach Guy McKenna will be keen to address heading into Saturday's clash against West Coast.
After kicking his first career goal against Geelong, rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt will miss the clash against the Eagles after accepting a one-game ban for a high bump on Cat Nathan Vardy.
Meanwhile the much-improved Eagles were disappointing against premier Collingwood.
While they were competitive in most areas, the Eagles revamped forward line, which has caused havoc for most other sides, looked out of sorts and failed to have an impact on the scoreboard.
The Eagles had 50 inside 50s to the Pies 52, but only managed seven goals for the game, and will need to apply scoreboard pressure early against a plucky young Gold Coast side.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Eagles' forwards fire? Josh Kennedy managed three goals against the Pies but was well held by Chris Tarrant. Suns defender Nathan Bock played a blinder of a game last week against Geelong and it will be an interesting battle between Bock and Kennedy. Quinten Lynch, Jack Darling and Mark LeCras will need to contribute more in attack for the Eagles as well.
How will the young Suns' fitness hold up at Patersons Stadium? The team faded in the second half against the Cats and this week travel to Perth to play on the longest ground in the competition. Many sides struggle to maintain their run at the ground and fatigue for the young side could play a major factor.
PREDICTION
West Coast by 52 points
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
If you're still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands for the next few weeks, both the Eagles and Suns have viable replacements (if you haven't already jumped on board). The experienced Dean Cox ($406,500) is averaging 113 Dream Team points and has been consistent all year. If you want to make a bit more cash though, or you already have Cox, downgrade Sandilands to young Sun Zac Smith ($278,300). He is a more than capable of filling your second ruck spot with an average of 88 points this season, and will free up some money so you can spend big in other areas.
Follow the game live in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au and join the conversation on Twitter using #afleaglessuns
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
