Relevant events for the week Wednesday 22 March 2023 - Tuesday 28 March 2023 (Prev|Next)
Wednesday 22 March[]
Thursday 23 March[]
West Coast named Jake Waterman, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Greg Clark and potential debutant Elijah Hewett on an extended bench. Jack Petruccelle, the substitute against North Melbourne, was the only omission, but Elliot Yeo was not named to return from a pre-season calf injury.
Carlton handed premiers Geelong a second straight loss to start the season.
Friday 24 March[]
Waterman and Petrevski-Seton were named in the final 22, replacing omitted pair Callum Jamieson and Xavier O'Neill, while Hewett was confirmed as making his debut as the starting substitute.
Brisbane beat Melbourne in a match that featured a lengthy halt in play during the final term when the Gabba's lights went out.
Saturday 25 March[]
West Coast's reserves beat East Perth by a kick in a scratch match. Alec Waterman kicked four goals while O'Neill kicked the game-winner, but the side lost Jamieson (ankle) and Jai Culley (shoulder) during the match.
Collingwood thumped Port Adelaide, Richmond beat Adelaide, St Kilda comfortably accounted for Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne squeaked past Fremantle in a controversial finish.
Sunday 26 March[]
West Coast recorded a morale-boosting win over GWS Giants to open their account for 2023. The Eagles broke the game open with a scintillating second term in which they kicked eight goals, with Waterman and Jamie Cripps each kicking three. West Coast led by as much as 45 points in the third term before fading late as the Giants closed the margin to 19 at the close. Waterman, who played the unfamiliar role of backup ruck, finished with a career-high four goals and Tim Kelly led all players with 32 possessions.
In the day's other matches, Sydney thrashed Hawthorn and Essendon defeated Gold Coast.
Monday 27 March[]
Defender Luke Foley was offered a one-match suspension for striking East Perth's Ethan Regan.
Tuesday 28 March[]
West Coast provided an injury update, with Yeo officially listed as a test, although he was described as "more unlikely than likely" to be available. The outlook for Culley and Josh Rotham (arm) was more optimistic, but Jamieson was ruled out for at least a week.