http://eagles.newman-knights.com/news.php?newsid=96
Last week's draw pretty much seals September action for the Eagles (with Hawthorn having two games and 20% to make up over two rounds it would take something very unlikely for the Eagles to miss out now). In fact the top eight is pretty much sealed, with only position to play for.
The Eagles lie seventh on 11 wins and two draws, and for any chance of a top four spot would need to win both the remaining games. Fortunately both are at Subiaco, and this week's match pits the Eagles against the first away side we beat this year in Melbourne.
Changes
The changes have been rung at West Coast, with two huge inclusions in Michael Gardiner and Andrew Embley; if both play it will see the Eagles at almost full strength again for the first time in weeks. Also added to the squad are Kasey Green, Andrew McDougall and Adam Selwood; only Selwood of those three would surprise if he played. Darren Glass is out with a shoulder, a blow as he was starting to show a little form, and David Sierakowski has been dropped - not a surprise with the inclusion of Gardiner.
Click here for the squad
Lead up
There is no doubt this is a clash of the out-of-formers of the competition. The Eagles have only taken six points from the last four games, dropping games to St Kilda (away) and Adelaide (home), while scavenging a draw away to the Cats at Kardinia Park. Not stellar form at all, although with Gardiner and Embley back the Eagles do look a stronger combination.
The Dees have been nothing short of woeful in 2003, lending more credence to the Demons' odd year = bad theory. Their last win was seven weeks ago, scraping by Carlton by only seven points, and they almost look like a team playing for a priority pick in the draft.
Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles have lost Darren Glass from the side for this week, but other than Glass only Travis Gaspar is a potential regular not in the side. Andrew Embley and Michael Gardiner would have to face tests before taking their places in the side.
Melbourne have a few "season" injuries, notably Alastair Nicholson and Peter Vardy, while former Bombers Gary Moorcroft and Chris Heffernan are unavailable. David Neitz and Travis Johnstone will face tests before playing this week.
Match Ups
With the entire of the Eagles' midfield brigade back, and Michael Gardiner back to ruck for them, the center of the ground looks like the place the game will be won or lost, with the Demons having a monumental task ahead of them to match the Eagles' run; that said the Eagles' midfield has misfired quite a bit recently and is certainly not as dominant as early in the year.
The other major matchup on the ground is who will match Demons' skipper David Neitz, one of the competition's most prolific scorers in 2003. Ashley McIntosh will likely get the guernsey, and Eagles fans will hope this is the beginning of a big finale to the champion backman's career.
Other players who would need watching include Eagles Andrew Embley and Rowan Jones (who did a good Embley-impression last week).
2002 - 2003
The last meeting between these two sides was at the MCG back in round six, and the Eagles prevailed to mark away win one of the season. Last year however (being an even year an all), the Demons won both the encounters, including an exciting one goal win at Subiaco.
2003, Round 6, MCG
West Coast 5.3 6.5 16.8 19.13 (127)
Melbourne 2.1 7.4 12.6 14.10 ( 94)
2002, Round 19, Subiaco
Melbourne 1.4 8.7 10.12 15.16 (106)
West Coast 5.2 6.5 11.9 15.10 (100)
2002, Round 4, Princes Park
Melbourne 4.4 11.6 17.9 21.11 (137)
West Coast 2.3 7.7 10.9 15.13 (103)
Head to Head
Played 30; West Coast 18, Melbourne 12, Draws 0.
Biggest Margin - West Coast : West Coast 24.12 (156) d Melbourne 7.8 (50) - 106 points, Princes Park, R6 1996
Biggest margin - Melbourne : Melbourne 26.14 (170) d West Coast 15.10 (100) - 70 points, Subiaco, R22 2000
Milestones
None this week
Summary
The Eagles are close to full strength, while Melbourne are not, and the game is at Subiaco Oval. This should be enough to predict an Eagles win, and there is still a lot riding on this match for West Coast who will want to finish higher than seventh this year to show the improvement from last year on the ladder - and hopefully earn a home final. The Eagles will also want a good showing to help play Embley and Gardiner back into form before the crunch Derby in Round 22.
My prediction: West Coast by 29 points
Last week's draw pretty much seals September action for the Eagles (with Hawthorn having two games and 20% to make up over two rounds it would take something very unlikely for the Eagles to miss out now). In fact the top eight is pretty much sealed, with only position to play for.
The Eagles lie seventh on 11 wins and two draws, and for any chance of a top four spot would need to win both the remaining games. Fortunately both are at Subiaco, and this week's match pits the Eagles against the first away side we beat this year in Melbourne.
Changes
The changes have been rung at West Coast, with two huge inclusions in Michael Gardiner and Andrew Embley; if both play it will see the Eagles at almost full strength again for the first time in weeks. Also added to the squad are Kasey Green, Andrew McDougall and Adam Selwood; only Selwood of those three would surprise if he played. Darren Glass is out with a shoulder, a blow as he was starting to show a little form, and David Sierakowski has been dropped - not a surprise with the inclusion of Gardiner.
Click here for the squad
Lead up
There is no doubt this is a clash of the out-of-formers of the competition. The Eagles have only taken six points from the last four games, dropping games to St Kilda (away) and Adelaide (home), while scavenging a draw away to the Cats at Kardinia Park. Not stellar form at all, although with Gardiner and Embley back the Eagles do look a stronger combination.
The Dees have been nothing short of woeful in 2003, lending more credence to the Demons' odd year = bad theory. Their last win was seven weeks ago, scraping by Carlton by only seven points, and they almost look like a team playing for a priority pick in the draft.
Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles have lost Darren Glass from the side for this week, but other than Glass only Travis Gaspar is a potential regular not in the side. Andrew Embley and Michael Gardiner would have to face tests before taking their places in the side.
Melbourne have a few "season" injuries, notably Alastair Nicholson and Peter Vardy, while former Bombers Gary Moorcroft and Chris Heffernan are unavailable. David Neitz and Travis Johnstone will face tests before playing this week.
Match Ups
With the entire of the Eagles' midfield brigade back, and Michael Gardiner back to ruck for them, the center of the ground looks like the place the game will be won or lost, with the Demons having a monumental task ahead of them to match the Eagles' run; that said the Eagles' midfield has misfired quite a bit recently and is certainly not as dominant as early in the year.
The other major matchup on the ground is who will match Demons' skipper David Neitz, one of the competition's most prolific scorers in 2003. Ashley McIntosh will likely get the guernsey, and Eagles fans will hope this is the beginning of a big finale to the champion backman's career.
Other players who would need watching include Eagles Andrew Embley and Rowan Jones (who did a good Embley-impression last week).
2002 - 2003
The last meeting between these two sides was at the MCG back in round six, and the Eagles prevailed to mark away win one of the season. Last year however (being an even year an all), the Demons won both the encounters, including an exciting one goal win at Subiaco.
2003, Round 6, MCG
West Coast 5.3 6.5 16.8 19.13 (127)
Melbourne 2.1 7.4 12.6 14.10 ( 94)
2002, Round 19, Subiaco
Melbourne 1.4 8.7 10.12 15.16 (106)
West Coast 5.2 6.5 11.9 15.10 (100)
2002, Round 4, Princes Park
Melbourne 4.4 11.6 17.9 21.11 (137)
West Coast 2.3 7.7 10.9 15.13 (103)
Head to Head
Played 30; West Coast 18, Melbourne 12, Draws 0.
Biggest Margin - West Coast : West Coast 24.12 (156) d Melbourne 7.8 (50) - 106 points, Princes Park, R6 1996
Biggest margin - Melbourne : Melbourne 26.14 (170) d West Coast 15.10 (100) - 70 points, Subiaco, R22 2000
Milestones
None this week
Summary
The Eagles are close to full strength, while Melbourne are not, and the game is at Subiaco Oval. This should be enough to predict an Eagles win, and there is still a lot riding on this match for West Coast who will want to finish higher than seventh this year to show the improvement from last year on the ladder - and hopefully earn a home final. The Eagles will also want a good showing to help play Embley and Gardiner back into form before the crunch Derby in Round 22.
My prediction: West Coast by 29 points
