Follow LIVE: West Coast v Sydney, Fremantle v Carlton, Western Bulldogs v Geelong, round four 2024

WEST Coast has plummeted to historic lows but it is not about to get any easier as it faces a wounded Sydney outfit that won this clash by 171 points last year.

The Eagles have become just the sixth team in AFL/VFL history to fail to win a quarter from their opening three matches but must hope to at least snap that streak for their young group to take a small step forward.

EAGLES v SWANS Follow it LIVE

Sydney had placed itself firmly among the frontrunners with a scintillating start to the season until dropping back to the pack with a shock loss to Richmond.

The Swans fielded a younger side than the Tigers but they should now be well-aware that in an even competition it is essential to avoid complacency and expect an under-siege opposition to rise to the occasion. 

Josh Rotham is back for the Eagles with Loch Rawlinson to make his debut, while Jamaine Jones has been dropped and Tyler Brockman (concussion) is injured.

Taylor Adams is in for his first game for Sydney as Harry Cunningham returns, the duo replacing Dane Rampe (hamstring) and Corey Warner (omitted).

West Coast v Sydney at Adelaide Hills, 1pm ACDT

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SUBSTITUTESWest Coast: Loch RawlinsonSydney: Caleb Mitchell

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Fremantle (could hardly have been more impressive in its undefeated start to the season but can no longer claim to be the hunter even as it faces the red-hot Carlton.

The Dockers have been able to overcome injuries in their defence with an imperious midfield group that is now flowing into the forward half. 

DOCKERS v BLUES Follow it LIVE

Carlton will be out to extend its bright start to the season as well as brush aside a 0-7 record at Adelaide Oval.

The Blues look more settled following the return of Jacob Weitering to their backline, but are most ominous in the forward half with Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow already combining for 21 goals.

Both teams are settled with the Dockers unchanged and the Blues welcoming Brodie Kemp back to replace Caleb Marchbank (concussion).

Western Bulldogs did what it had to do with a resounding victory over last year's tormentor West Coast, but now need to make a statement against a top-four contender like Geelong.

The Bulldogs still allowed the Eagles to match them for inside 50s in an area of their game they will want to tighten up against the more potent Cats. 

BULLDOGS v CATS Follow it LIVE

Geelong is setting itself up for another top-four tilt with a flawless start to the season although tougher tests are set to come.

The experienced Cats know the importance of making the most of a winning streak and banking early-season victories, while young guns such as Tanner Bruhn are blossoming nicely to refresh the line-up.

Geelong has welcomed back Zach Tuohy and Rhys Stanley in place of Toby Conway (managed) and Oisin Mullin (omitted), while the Bulldogs welcome back Ed Richards in place of Caleb Poulter.