West Coast Eagles host biggest WA crowd since COVID pandemic began, taking on Collingwood at Optus Stadium

West Coast have drawn the biggest crowd in the southern hemisphere since the COVID pandemic began, with more than 54,000 fans packing in to Optus Stadium tonight.

With COVID crowd restrictions lifted for the prime time clash against Collingwood, tonight’s total of 54,159 fans is biggest in AFL since the 2019 AFL Grand Final.

It’s also the biggest crowd in WA since the almost 60,000 who attended West Coast’s elimination final win over Essendon back in September 2019.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in attendance alongside former WA federal minister Matthias Cormann. But he wasn’t popular with the fans and was widely booed when he appeared on the big screen.

Camera Icon Eagles fans packed in to Optus Stadium. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos Camera Icon Collingwood still had plenty of support in the crowd. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Despite the Perth Wildcats playing at the same time at RAC Arena, Eagles fans flocked to the stadium for Friday’s big game.

But the pre-game didn’t go entirely to plan, with the Eagles at one stage forced to warm up in the dark.

With Collingwood sitting 1-3 and coach Nathan Buckley under plenty of pressure, the Pies are expected to put in a good showing.

But it was the Eagles who were first on the board thanks to a great chase from young big man Oscar Allen.

Camera Icon Collingwood fans show their support. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos Camera Icon Eagles fans have turned out in droves. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Former Docker now Pie Chris Mayne was caught holding the ball inside the Eagles forward 50 and Allen converted.

The Magpies answered with two goals of their own before under-fire Eagles recruit Tim Kelly kicked West Coast’s third.

But Brodie Grundy kicked two first quarter goals to give the visitors the lead heading into the first break.

Collingwood lost Jordan De Goey early in the match after he was left bloodied from a collision with Kelly, and they lost defender Jeremy Howe (leg) not long after.