West Coast Eagles hunting redemption against Richmond Tigers after triple-figure loss at Optus Stadium

West Coast will travel to the MCG in search of redemption for a triple-figure loss to Richmond earlier this year, but Eagles coach Adam Simpson admits it will be a “massive ask” for the club to topple the Tigers on Sunday. The Eagles were mauled by a Dustin Martin-less Richmond side by 109 points at Optus Stadium in round seven, their biggest loss of the club’s record nine-game losing streak in 2022. “Obviously, those big losses hurt. They really dent your confidence,” Simpson told 7NEWS. “And no doubt last time we played (Richmond), we were poor and they were excellent. “Playing them at the MCG, it’s a massive ask for us but the guys have got confidence and we’re up for the challenge.” The Eagles finally snapped that drought over the weekend, rising from the bottom of AFL the ladder courtesy of Adelaide’s 53-point drubbing of North Melbourne, who dropped to last. While beating the Bombers was a relief for the Eagles, West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff isn’t expecting the Tigers - fresh off a nail-biting loss to Geelong on Saturday - to show any mercy. “They’re so hard to beat, especially at the ‘G,” Gaff said. “They smashed us only... it feels like a couple of weeks ago. We’ve got to play a hell of a lot better (than we did against Essendon) to be competitive against them. “But I feel like we’re playing better footy and they’re up and about, so it’ll be good.” While Richmond have since re-gained the services of three-time Norm Smith medallist (Martin), they will be without Dion Prestia, who entered concussion protocols after being knocked out in an incident with Cats gun Tom Stewart. West Coast will also get another first-hand look at WA rising star Liam Baker, who The West Australian revealed is understood to be the club’s second-most sought-after trade target - behind Melbourne ruckman Luke Jackson. Baker, 24, was a major player in the Tigers’ fightback against Geelong, as they turned a 35-point deficit into a 17-point lead before falling three points short at the final siren. The dual premiership player finished with 24 touches, eight inside 50s and a goal after being thrust into the midfield in Prestia’s absence. “He’s a wonderful player, wonderful guy, a wonderful Richmond man,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said post-match, in what appeared to be a directed jab at the circling Eagles.

West Coast Eagles hunting redemption against Richmond Tigers after triple-figure loss at Optus Stadium

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