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Match Result: West Coast will host a preliminary final for the first time since 2005 after defeating the Hawks by 32 points at Domain Stadum.
WEST COAST 14 12 96
HAWTHORN 9 10 64
In what could be the end of a dominant era for the Hawks, the Eagles made three premierships in a row harder for them with a blistering performance.
A five goal to zero second quarter, followed up by another five goals in the third term, stunned the Hawks as they struggled to get into the game after quarter time.
The run of the Eagles was the difference as they punished the Hawks when they struggled to score in attack.
In the first quarter, it was the definition of finals football, as both teams fought for everything and the scores were low.
Both teams would kick two goals with the Hawks not able to utilise the wind advantage they had as the Eagles played well.
The second quarter though was dominated by the Eagles as they kicked five goals to zero.
Josh Kennedy became a handful to the Hawks defence as he kicked three goals.
When Mark LeCras kicked his first for the term, the margin was 32 points, and the Eagles looked tough to beat.
It was also the lowest half time score for the Hawks in four years.
The Hawks tried to make a comeback in the third but wasted valuable chances to put pressure on the Eagles.
They scored the first goal through Jarryd Roughead but kicked three behinds in the first eleven minutes of the second half.
West Coast punished the missed chances as they added five of the next six goals to lead by 50 at the final change.
Two goals to Jamie Cripps, including one on the siren, gave the Eagles the game.
Hawthorn responded in the final term, with multiple goals, but it was to little too late.
A goal to Mark Hutchings sealed the win and put Hawthorn’s premiership tilt in jeopardy.
Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn, Nic Natanui and Josh Kennedy starred as they overcame the loss of Matt Priddis to injury.
Hawthorn were led by Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge but not enough players played well for the Hawks to remain in the hunt.
They now face a trip to Sydney or Perth in the third week of the finals, if they can overcome the Adelaide Crows or the Western Bulldogs next week.
They will learn their fate on Saturday.
The Eagles now have a home preliminary final and create the unique situation of both Perth teams not leaving the state until the Grand Final.
If Fremantle lose tomorrow, they have a home elimination final next week, before facing the Eagles in a finals derby.
If they win, they host a home preliminary final, against either Hawthorn, Adelaide, or the Western Bulldogs.
The Eagles are now a genuine chance of a premiership after tonight.
Match Preview: For the first time in 23 years, the Hawthorn Hawks and West Coast Eagles will meet in a final, as the second qualifying final is held at Domain Stadium on Friday Night. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 8:20pm (AEST).
This final could be the most important one of them all. A loss by either team could have dire implications to their chances of a Grand Final appearance.
While the same could be said for all of the matches, you just feel this match is the biggest in Week 1. Both are genuine title contenders, with a loss set to severely hamper that.
If Hawthorn lose, they will have to travel to Sydney or Perth, for a preliminary final against either Sydney or Fremantle. That would provide them with two trips in the finals, and a potential second week home final against Adelaide or the Western Bulldogs.
For a team looking for three premierships in a row, that could be just a little too much to ask.
With so many outcomes as a result of this match, it is vital they secure a win tonight.
These two teams faced earlier in the year with the Hawks winning away from home. After matching Hawthorn for three quarters, the Eagles fell away, as the Hawks won by 14 points.
The recent record has all been one way with the Hawks winning the last five matches, and six of the last seven.
In finals they lead 2-1 against the Eagles. This includes the 1991 Grand Final played between the two teams, which saw the Hawks win by 53 points.
They also won the qualifying final between the two in the same year. The Eagles though won the last match in 1992, in an elimination final, by 13 points as they went on to win their first flag.
They have made two changes for the clash with Will Schofield and Scott Selwood coming into the team. Chris Masten (hamstring) and Jackson Nelson (omitted) are out.
Brownlow medalist Matt Priddis is also in doubt leading into the match, after suffering a thigh strain.
The Hawks have made three changes, and they are big ones. Luke Hodge is back from suspension, with Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust joining him after being rested last week. Out are Angus Litherland, James Sicily, and Daniel Howe.
This promises to be a close match with both teams capable of kicking a big score. The key battle will be the midfield. We saw, when the Eagles faced Adelaide in Round 22, their defence struggles when the opposition midfield gets on top of them.
If Hawthorn do that then they will severely test the Eagles defence.
On the other foot, the Hawks will have to be careful against Nic Natanui. He didn’t play in the last match, after his mother passed away, and will look to exploit the only weakness of the Hawks which is their ruck.
This looks to be a close match and the bookies can’t split them with Hawthorn the slight favourite. The Eagles have home advantage and the Hawks have finals experience.
That will be important at crucial stages and Hawthorn will win what could be a classic.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 12 points.
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