Game Day Round 8 - West Coast vs Hawthorn: Sun 9 May, 11:10am @ MCG

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The West Coast Eagles facing Hawthorn in 2021 is like running in to your high school bully years after graduation. While it once seemed like you were destined to cross paths again and again, your journeys have since diverged.

Sure, you won't ever forget when he pulled your pants down on Prom Night, but since then you've done quite well for yourself when you think about it. Your old 'mate'....not so much.

You got a giant new house in 2018. He shares a cramped apartment with nine other people, most of whom can't afford to pay the bills.

You enjoy resounding success at work and continue to be a key figure at the office. He was hit with the burdens of old age, and the once fierce athlete is now just an assistant manager at a sporting goods store.

You live near the beach, free to enjoy the glorious sunshine. He has to travel to Tasmania twice a year otherwise the bank might wind up his loans.

And despite all of that, deep down, you can't help but shake the feeling that his best punch might still knock you out. Best to stay out of striking range, just to be safe.


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Pictured: Alastair Clarkson

Key matchups
Shannon Hurn Jeremy McGovern Tom Barrass Brad Sheppard Liam Duggan Harry Edwards vs Jack Gunston
The Eagles tall backline has been decimated by injury, with word that Shep and Duggo might well be the latest to fall victim to the West Coast injury plague. Having survived against a tall forward line last weekend, the Eagles are now set to take on an equally large unit.

Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, Jacob Koschitzke and debutant Emerson Jeka were all jammed awkwardly into the same lineup, with notoriously Big Boy Ben McEvoy also playing a cameo inside 50. It was a nice idea for the Hawks, but their land of the giants approach resulted in a 69 point defeat. While Hawthorn might go in smaller, expect Gunston's up-the-field experiment to end this week, as the reigning Hawks B&F should find a more permanent role inside 50 to stretch the Eagles' depleted defensive stocks.

Midfield Matchups
North Melbourne are the only side that record fewer clearances than Hawthorn, and as we know they are a joke.

West Coast have proven they can match it with some quality midfield units, but have yet to find any success away from home. With Jaegar O'Meara and Chad Wingard set to return to the Hawks after a devastating bout of soreness, the Eagles will need Tim Kelly to continue his derby form, with equal effort from Sheed, Redden and Gaff, to ensure that the Eagles can capitalise against a team that have struggled to get first use all season long. A Nic Nat masterclass would not go astray either, while Johnaton Ceglar seems likely to return in an attempt to curb his influence.

Eagles Forward Efficiency vs Hawthorn's Dashing Defenders
North Melbourne are the only side that record fewer inside 50s than the Eagles, and as we know they are a joke.

Hawthorn aren't much better, averaging just 1.3 more i50s per game. Despite these low numbers, it's the Eagles forward line that looks more dangerous, having scored the fourth most points in football while barely getting a look in.

Where the Hawks struggle at the coalface, they more than make up for with high quality rebounding. Hawthorn lead the league in rebound 50s, and have developed a genuine threat a as run and gun handballing side off the half back. Gone is the Clarkson patented kick mark, replaced instead by a frenetic wave after a poor forward entry. If the Eagles can get their kick mark style going, and go inside 50 cleanly, then Hawthorn will be deprived of opportunity. If we succumb to pressure at the contest and hack it forward, the ball will slingshot the other way in style.

West Coast Eagles vs Complacency
Hawthorn have won two games this season. During those games, they trailed by as much as 39 and 32 points respectively. The Eagles gave up a 33 point lead to St Kilda in Round 4. Oh boy.

West Coast Eagles vs Badge's Preview Streak
Ten years of undefeated previews are at stake this weekend. Don't * me, boys.

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Pictured: Adam Simpson

Prediction
In the not too distant future, the sun will swallow the Earth rendering all life, and the result of this game, utterly meaningless. So that'll be nice.

Mute your TV and share in the occasion with us, as the BigFooty Eagles Podcast crew call the game LIVE. Biased, unfiltered, all Eagles all the time.
bit.ly/WCEBFPodLive
 
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flyinghi64

Premiership Player
Dec 7, 2006
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We will need to be SPARTA this weekend with how few warriors we have to choose from.

It is now officially beyond a joke. This would have to be the worse injury run in the clubs history with regard to quality out.
Even North Melbourne has a healthier list, and as we know they are a joke.

Nice Preview as well, succinct.
 
As much as I want the win, the effort and competitiveness is what matters. You can accept a loss if you fight it out and take some positives out of it however If we just turn up for two quarters then roll over, all these nice home wins mean jack s**t.
 

Get_The_Gaff

Premiership Player
Apr 4, 2021
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So seems like foley is over in Melbourne as insurance if sheppard doesn't get up ?

LEdwards the sub ?
 
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