They might not be battling for a top-eight spot — not yet, anyway — but make no mistake: this Saturday night’s clash between West Coast and Melbourne looms as the biggest moment of the season so far for both clubs.
In a year where both teams are sitting much lower than their pre-season expectations, this game carries a different, arguably more important weight: pride, belief, and the future culture of two proud football clubs.
The West Coast Eagles will be taking on the Melbourne Demons this Saturday night in a Round 8 clash at Optus Stadium. West Coast remain the last winless team in season 2025, starting their season 0-7 after being taken down by the fast-paced Hawks on Sunday afternoon by 50 points.
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Meanwhile, Melbourne have hit some form, winning their last two games after an upset victory against Fremantle in Round 6 followed by a 20-point Anzac Eve win over Richmond. The Demons have climbed to 15th while West Coast remain at the bottom.
Christian Petracca celebrates kicking a goal. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
For West Coast, it’s desperation hour. Still searching for their first win of the season, the Eagles know how critical it is to break the drought; not just to lift spirits in the short term, but to prove to themselves, their fans, and the broader footy world that they are building something real.
A win this week would be about much more than the four points. It would be a huge step forward in their rebuild, a sign that the hard work behind the scenes is starting to pay off. After months of “it’s a process” and “we’re rebuilding,” Eagles supporters are desperate for something a little more tangible to cheer about.
Melbourne, meanwhile, are starting to find a pulse. After a rocky start to the season, they’ve strung together two wins and, dare we say it, are showing glimpses of the team they were just three years ago. Finals might be a long shot, but building a strong, resilient culture doesn’t happen overnight, and every win counts. Saturday night represents an opportunity to keep the momentum rolling and to instil winning habits.
This isn’t a blockbuster with top-four implications. It’s not being circled by commentators as a grand final preview, and will most likely be overlooked thanks to Collingwood and Geelong’s top-eight battle happening at the same time. But for these players, for these clubs, it’s enormous. It’s about standards, and turning up and competing when pride is the main prize.
The in-form Demons will go into the match sitting as favourites, but you can’t rule out the Eagles. It was just Round 10 last season when the Eagles pulled a shock upset on the Dees, winning by 35 points; the same game in which 19-year-old Harley Reid earned himself the 2024 Goal of the Year after fending off Demons star Christian Petracca.
In Round 6, the Eagles put on a home game masterclass for much of the match against Essendon, before falling short and losing by two points in a heartbreaking game under lights. They will carry that heartbreak deep into Saturday night, desperate to reward their loyal fan base and finally snap a winless streak stretching over 260 long days.
Expect heart. Expect, at some point, a wild, inexplicable turnover that makes fans tear their hair out — but also moments of real fight and spirit that remind you why you stick fat through the tough years. This is football at its most honest: two teams battling not for silverware, but for something just as important — respect.
So, while the ladder positions might suggest this is a low-key affair, those who know footy understand the truth: these are the games that build foundations. These are the nights that forge club identity. And the clubs who get these moments right are often the ones who come roaring back into contention sooner than anyone expects.
Harley Reid celebrates a goal. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
This Saturday night, West Coast and Melbourne won’t just be playing for the four points. They’ll be playing for each other, for their future, and for a spark of hope to carry into the second half of the season.
And honestly? That’s the kind of footy that’s worth tuning in for.
