West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Verdict
Hawthorn can wrap up a top-four spot with a win against West Coast in the final game of the home and away season. A win secures them the double chance in the finals and I'm backing them to do it with a 1-39 margin.
- The Eagles' past eight matches against interstate opposition at Optus Stadium have been decided by 30 points or less.
- Jack Gunston has kicked 15 goals in his past five matches against the Eagles.
- Harley Reid has had 25+ disposals in his past four matches.
- The Hawks are hot favourites but have won just one of their last nine home and away matches against interstate opposition outside of Victoria and Tasmania.
Head to Head
Hawthorn have won the past four between the two sides by an average margin of 63 points. They were 50-point winners in the Round 7 clash at Marvel Stadium this season and won by 61 the last time the two sides played at Perth Stadium.
West Coast Eagles Form
West Coast enter the final round with a 4-18 record and have lost 10 consecutive matches after going down to GWS by 54 points last weekend. They are 3-8 at Optus Stadium this season and have lost their past six at the venue.
The results do not tell the entire story at home. Five of those six consecutive Optus Stadium defeats have come against interstate opposition and the Eagles have not lost any of them by more than 25 points, showing they have generally remained competitive in front of their home supporters.
Harley Reid, Jack Graham and Tim Kelly all recorded 25+ disposals against GWS last weekend, while Jake Waterman and Liam Baker kicked two goals each. Reid has now reached 25+ in four straight matches and Waterman has kicked 13 goals across his past five.
Hawthorn Form
Hawthorn enter Round 24 following a dramatic 92-92 draw against Collingwood, the second time the sides have finished level this season.
The Hawks were coming off their worst loss of the year, a 67-point defeat against Brisbane, and will now need to win the final match of the home and away season to guarantee their place in the top four.
Travel has been a major weakness. Hawthorn have won just one of their past nine home and away matches against interstate opposition outside Victoria and Tasmania and only one of their past eight appearances at Perth Stadium.
Josh Ward, Mitch Lewis and Jack Gunston kicked two goals each against Collingwood. Gunston has 14 goals across his past five matches, while Jarman Impey collected 25 disposals and Jai Newcombe had 24. Newcombe has recorded 24+ in four consecutive matches and Impey has reached 25+ in four of his past five.
West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Team News
Ryan Maric, Bo Allan and Jack Hutchinson have been added to the Eagles’ extended interchange. No confirmed outs are listed in the supplied teams.
Jack Dalton, Ned Reeves, Calsher Dear and Sam Butler have been added to Hawthorn’s extended squad. Jack Ginnivan is not named for Jack Gunston’s 300th game.