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FRIDAY 31ST AUGUST - ROUND 23 - MCG 5.50PM WST
vs
Last time they met
West Coast 5.21 (51) def Hawthorn 5.16 (46), Round 4, 2012 at Subiaco Oval

Melbourne weather forecast
Mostly cloudy. Areas of rain, easing to isolated showers later this morning. A chance of hail. Winds westerly 25 to 35 km/h turning southwesterly in the late morning.
Max 14˚

This week's guernsey
(yay)

Named teams & Umpiring Appointments

Late Changes: West Coast: Nil Hawthorn: Nil
Substitutes: West Coast: Jacob Brennan Hawthorn: Cyrilllllll Rioli

Key Players
West Coast
1. Mitch Brown - Included in the side for an injured Eric Mackenzie. Was one of the more solid players last time he was called up against Sydney at home where the Eagles were, well, pretty woeful. Has been criticised for lack of composure on the ball, but none of that was evident. Has been included in this list for the fact he will need to produce the goods in order to halt a very good Hawks forward line in the absence of 'Emac'.
2. Josh Kennedy - Had a hit out last week and was fairly quiet in the big win over Collingwood - this was not surprising with the fact the Eagles had 13 individual goal scorers with no one player kicking a bag. Hawthorn are susceptible defensively when a side with height can put it together. He will need to show more of the form from 2011 to make an impact tonight one feels.
3. Daniel Kerr - Was outstanding against the pies last weekend. Amassed 36 possessions and relished the freedom not carrying a tag brings. Clearance work was exceptional, but expect him not to have the same length of rope tonight and will need to work hard to provide the Eagles with first use. If the conditions hold up, and it does rain, he will be key to our ball winning chances.

Hawthorn
1. Lance Franklin - Second game back from injury and he simply cannot be left out of this list. Has the ability to turn a game, as North found out down in Launceston earlier in the season where 'Buddy' kicked 13. Expect Mitch Brown to match up on him, but if Franklin can get the better of him, he may kick a bag at his favoured ground.
2. Shaun Burgoyne - Had a massive game against the Swans last week at the SCG, including kicking the winning goal late into the final term. Clearance work was fantastic and set up many of the Hawks' forays into forward 50 territory. West Coast will need to pay particular attention to this man early to ensure he doesn't hit his straps early.
3. David Hale - Will have the job ahead of him tonight against the much vaunted ruck division of the Eagles. If he can hold his own against Cox and Naitanui then he will give his team mates the opportunity to use the ball effectively and look for Franklin inside 50. Roughead provides ample back up but will it be enough against the inform Eagles duo?

Summary
The last meeting between these two teams was... interesting. Low scoring affair, with an unusually high behind count, but this may have been attributed to the weather in Perth that evening and may well be similar tonight in Melbourne.
This Friday night game carries high stakes for both sides, Hawks win, they secure a top 2 spot, and if the Eagles win they earn themselves a top 4 spot to equal the achievement of 2011, if they lose, they may be looking at a first week finals date with their Subiaco housemates.
Franklin slotted back in nicely to the side that overcame the Swans last weekend, a game in which they were behind by a large margin early, but managed to turn on some second quarter brilliance to get back into the game in a relatively short space of time. The Eagles bossed Collingwood at home and ran away 49 point winners in what most have said was their best display for the year.
A lot of how this game will turn out will rest on the battle of the midfields, if West Coast can reproduce the efforts from last week, they are a strong chance.
But, the Eagles form at the MCG is not great and tonight they meet a side who is on the up and may be too strong at the home of football in Victoria.

Verdict
Hawthorn by 18 points