AFL 2026 live scores: West Coast Eagles face tough Gold Coast opener against Suns
West Coast start their 2026 campaign with four debutants but face a steep hill to climb against top-four fancies Gold Coast who began their season with a bang.
No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Josh Lindsay and Milan Murdock will all mark their first AFL appearance at People’s First Stadium while former Lion Deven Robertson and former Tiger Tylar Young make their club debuts.
Meanwhile, Jack Graham will notch 150 AFL games in his second season on blue and gold.
Follow all the action with our live blog.
Key Events
Effort play
Murdock busted his gut to impact three contests from defensive 50 to offensive 50 and it resluts in a shot to Shannahan.
The young gun missed but the repeat efforts from Murdock are showing some of the other how it’s done.
He really just needs to clean up his use with a kick and handball making things hard and forcing him to follow up.
GCS 70, WCE 14
150!
Anderson missed a set shot at the other end but the Eagles finally find some forward momentum and Waterman is the beneficary.
He goes back and slots the set shot from 50 and that is his 150th AFL major.
GCS 46, WCE 13
QT: Suns 45, Eagles 7
The Eagles made some changes to end the term with Shannahan going back and Yeo moving onto Petracca but skill errors are hurting.
Duursma has looked bright but some of his kicking has been poor while Reid looks rushed and panicked when he gets the ball.
The Suns are just oozing quality and not trying too hard in ominous signs for West Coast.
Murdock has been the bright point of the first term, leading the Eagles with seven disposals and appearing disappointed his teammates have not been in position to help when he gets the footy.
Three all ready
Petracca is running riot in the forward line.
He has three goals already with Duggan struggling to stay close enough to stop him.
He’s had a lucky moment or two but he only kicked three for the match last week.
GCS 39, WCE 7
Turnovers
The Eagles are struggling to retain the ball and it’s leaving their defence exposed.
Basic skill errors by hand and foot were ugly to watch in pre-season and while they have been better so far today, it’s still killing them.
The Suns have four majors and three have come from turnover.
GCS 27, WCE 7
Debut major!!
Murdock makes an instant impact!
He catches Mac Andrews holding the ball and then gets a 50 after the Suns defender dumped him in the dirt.
Murdock then ensures his teammates don’t reverse the call with remenstrations and pops through his first AFL goal.
GCS 12, WCE 7
Suns start proceedings
The Suns go end-to-end after a free kick against Waterman for a push and they goal first.
Young came off King to kill the initial entry but the Eagles can’t get it at ground level and the Suns find King alone in space.
He makes no mistake as he snaps a goal.
GCS 6, WCE 1
Eagles’ season underway!
Yeo and Reid start in the middle while Duursma starts on a wing.
McCarthey nearly has the first clearance but fumbles see the Suns go forward.
Duursma gets a fine first touch and spots up Flynn on the wing.
Bailey Humphries is out for the Suns as well with Jake Rogers in.
Final prep
The youngsters are getting their final preperations done on front of club superstar Nic Naitanui as we are just minutes away from the first bounce.
How are you feeling, Eagles fans?
In honour
West Coast will wear black armbands for two legends of WA footy in Dennis Cometti and Bill Dempsey after their passing in recent weeks.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails