2025 AFL Round 1

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West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns AFL Tips - Suns not burned by road record from last year

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 14 Mar 2025

Ryan Tucker 14 Mar 2025

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West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 1 AFL game
The game will be played at Optus Stadium, with the bounce at 6:10 PM (AEDT)
Gold Coast Suns poised to break previous away game slumps with a predicted win over West Coast Eagles.
Suns focus on scoring opportunities, leveraging past performances against the Eagles to succeed.
Key player Ben King expected to excel, with bets suggesting a win margin of 1-39.

Ryan delivers his top picks for the final game of AFL Round 1

West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns, Round 1 2025 - Expert Prediction

Gold Coast will even up the recent head to head record at Optus with a first round win fending off criticism of their form away from home.

West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns, Round 1 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
West Coast Eagles Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2024 Betting Trends
West Coast Eagles Team News
West Coast Eagles Team List
Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2024 Betting Trends
Gold Coast Suns Team News
Gold Coast Suns Team List
West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2025 Round 1 FAQ’s

The Suns were shocking on the road last season finishing with a 2-9 away record essentially putting them out of finals contention. My expectation is that coach Hardwick will have worked all through the pre-season with a focus on this game to get his team off to a good start and break the negative trend.

It was their inability to get into scoring position and capitalise on their opportunities that led to so many defeats on the road last year. The Suns averaged 28 scoring shots in their victories at home in 2024 compared to just 17.7 in their road losses.

Against the Eagles they have scored 13 or more goals in 5 straight games hitting that 27 average of scoring shots in the span. West Coast allowed 26.2 scoring shots to opponents last season which opens the door for Gold Coast to rectify their shortcomings from the get go.

Take Gold Coast to win with a 1-39 margin as has been the trending margin between these teams and why not double down on Scoring Shots from the Suns going over 24.5. Following the same narrative, take Ben King for a triple, he hit that number in both games last season.

6 of the last 8 games between these teams have finished with a 1-39 margin.
The Suns averaged 27 scoring shots in their wins last season.
West Coast allowed their opposition the best accuracy in front of goal last season at 53.1%
Ben King kicked 3 goals in both matchups vs West Coast in 2024. He averaged 2.5 goals per game last year at 56% accuracy.

Head to Head

Gold Coast own the recent head to head record between these teams winning 5 of the last 8 encounters. They split the difference last season with each team taking a win on their home track.

Including last season’s result at Optus Stadium the record sits at 3-2 in Perth to West Coast.

4 of the last 5 and 5 of 8 games since 2019 have gone Over the Game Total with 6 of 8 games staying between the 1-39 win margin.

West Coast Eagles Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-3	3-2	4-1

The Eagles continue to rebuild following their run of 10 finals appearances and 2 premierships between 2006-2020. They finished last in 2023 but were quick to rebound, taking 5 wins last season to finish 16th.

Harley Reid has been an integral part in the development of the young core and is the future for this club. He averaged 18.6 disposals in 20 games last season with a 72% disposal efficiency.

Despite lifting themselves off the bottom of the ladder the team still ranked last or near last in many metrics including contested possessions, opposition uncontested possessions and clearances.

2024 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
10-13	14-9	5-8	0-10

West Coast Eagles Team News

Archer Reid will make his debut on Sunday with Jake Waterman also named despite struggling to overcome a calf injury. Liam Ryan didn’t have such luck, not passing his fitness test. Elliot Yeo and Callum Jamieson are 5-7 weeks away from returning.

West Coast Eagles Team List

B: R.Ginbey, H.Edwards, B.Hough

HB: T.Cole, J.McGovern, L.Baker

C: J.Hunt, T.Kelly, L.Duggan

HF: J.Graham, J.Waterman, J.Cripps

F: M.Owies, O.Allen - C, A.Reid

FOLL: M.Flynn, J.Hutchinson, H.Reid

I/C: E.Hewett, T.Brockman, N.Long, R.Maric, T.Dewar

EMG: J.Petruccelle, C.Hall, B.Williams

Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-3	2-3	3-2

The Suns were the overachievers of 2024, well if you only count home games. They finished the season with an incredible 9-2 record at People First/TIO Stadium but it wasn’t enough to push them into finals contention for the first time in their short history.

A 2-4 record to finish out the season along with a dismal 2-9 road record meant the team finished in 13th spot, 8 points out of finals.

The Suns led the league in Intercept Possessions last season, taking 71.4 per game. They were also one of the more accurate teams in front of the sticks, coming in at 7th in Accuracy.

2024 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
11-12	12-11	8-9	3-3

Gold Coast Suns Team News

A blessing in disguise for the Suns with their Opening Round game being postponed, Charlie Ballard and Lachie Weller have both been included after overcoming injury. Touk Miller is also named for his first hit out of the season.

Mac Andrew and Sam Flanders should be ready for next week.

Gold Coast Suns Team List

B: W.Powell, S.Collins, B.Uwland

HB: J.Noble, C.Ballard, D.Rioli

C: L.Weller, M.Rowell, S.Clohesy

HF: W.Graham, T.Miller, B.Ainsworth

F: J.Rogers, B.King, E.Read

FOLL: J.Witts, B.Humphrey, N.Anderson - C

I/C: A.Sexton, N.Holman, B.Long, C.Budarick, J.Jeffrey

EMG: B.Fiorini, N.Moyle, C.Graham

West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2025 Round 1 FAQ’s

How to watch West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2025 Round 1?

You can watch the West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2025 Round 1 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2025 Round 1?

To buy tickets to the West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2025 Round 1 game check the AFL website or the official West Coast Eagles site.

Verdict

West Coast v Gold Coast

Gold Coast 1-39

Winning Margin

$2.10 - 3 Units

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Suns over 24.5

Scoring Shots

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B King 3+

Goals

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