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A moment of brilliance by Nic Naitanui to snap off a stoppage with seconds left has seen the Eagles defeat the GWS Giants by a single point in thrilling circumstances.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
GWS Giants 14.12.96
West Coast Eagles 14.13.97
The GWS Giants host the West Coast Eagles in a top eight showdown, a matchup with implications for both clubs on the eve of the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
GWS will be eager to recapture their best form after a sluggish yet vital win over the Suns last week.
Meanwhile last year’s grand finalists will have an opportunity to rid themselves of the ‘flat track bully’ tag as the Eagles try to push for an all-important top four spot.
The Giants have hit a rich vein of form at the right time and are on a four-game winning streak as they return home to Spotless Stadium for the first time since round 16.
After looking tired in last week’s win, GWS will welcome their break from the road and look to maintain their stellar home record.
On paper the Eagles head into Saturday’s match in strong form, having won five of their past six matches.
However these wins have come over lesser opponents, with West Coast managing only one victory against another top 8 side this season – an ailing Kangaroos team in Round 16 at Domain Stadium.
West Coast’s record belies some serious issues, such as their struggles to transition the football from defence to attack, an area in which they rank 14th in the competition.
With games remaining against the Premiers Hawthorn and a trip to Adelaide to face the in-form Crows, the Eagles will have three weeks to prove to the competition that they are still legitimate premiership contenders.
GWS will regain the services of superstar midfielder Dylan Shiel, after he missed the game against the Suns due to a groin injury. The Eagles meanwhile welcome back veteran defender Sam Butler, after he missed the Derby because of an adductor strain.
It would be fair to say that the recent history between the two clubs will mean next to nothing come Saturday afternoon, with West Coast humiliating the fledgling Giants in all of their previous four encounters.
With their last match occurring early last year and an average winning margin of 95 points, even the most ardent Eagles supporter would not expect this trend to continue.
The ruck match-up of Nic Naitanui and the Shane Mumford should prove to be as enthralling as it is vital for the outcome of the game, with Mumford having the strength advantage while Naitanui should have ascendancy in the air.
A big game also for young defender Tom Barrass, who after coming back into the side last week, will have his hands full with the litany of key forward options the Giants can throw at him.
Prediction
On paper this clash between fourth and sixth seems like a match of the round contender, however an inability to beat the better teams in the competition and poor road form from the Eagles might prevent this match living up to its hype.
Giants by 32 points.
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