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Round 8 starts off in style at Patersons Stadium with two sides desperate to get back into the top eight – the West Coast Eagles front up against North Melbourne. Live scores and commentary begins from 8.40pm AEST.
Both teams started the season poorly with just one win from the opening five rounds, but now one of these teams will break even by the end of tonight.
West Coast has been ravaged with injuries for the opening few weeks with a raft of their key players out of action.
That has now balanced out with the Eagles now close to full strength leading into this game against the Kangaroos.
How you’re able to fit in Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten, Beau Waters, Mark Nicoski and Andrew Embley back into the team without leaving out some other talented players means the Eagles are now well set for a serious tilt back at the top level.
The fact the Eagles has a relatively soft draw up until the bye means they can chance themselves against the slightly weaker sides – but this is not the opportunity.
Sure, West Coast could rest of last year’s demolition elimination final at home where they absolutely steamrolled the Kangaroos for pace and won by 96 points.
But the Eagles haven’t been stellar yet in 2013.
Last week’s win against the Brisbane Lions was gutsy, but at the same time below their best.
We’ve seen fadeouts from them for most of the season – and that could have to do with the injury list they had.
So now that they’re all fresh and at home, there shouldn’t be any excuses.
North Melbourne has had one of the toughest opening draws in the competition, facing the likes of Hawthorn, Sydney, Geelong and Collingwood very early.
They had some close calls that could have easily gone their way, but instead found themselves in the same predicament as the Eagles.
But some solid wins against Port Adelaide in Hobart and the Western Bulldogs has them back on track.
Brent Harvey’s return last week was very pleasing with 19 disposals, seven Inside 50’s and a goal in a team performance that was very even across the board.
A lot of interest will be on Andrew Swallow (if he starts) after what could have very easily have been a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a possible knee injury.
His sustained run will be crucial to the Kangaroos for them to stay in the contest as long as possible.
Most of the stats are even between the two teams in 2013, except for the Inside 50 count, which the Kangaroos are +7 against the Eagles.
Contested ball is going to be very important tonight, a stat North Melbourne has been impressive in of late.
The Kangaroos have racked up 51 more contested possessions than their opposition in their last two matches, while West Coast were level with Brisbane last week and behind the Bulldogs despite a 70-point win.
But you can give me and most footy fans all the stats in the world for tonight’s game – they just want to see Nic Naitanui versus Majak Daw as the two shining lights in this one.
Both players come from international backgrounds, but have brought some amazing highlights in their short time.
Majak Daw is just four games into his AFL career but has already monstered his way as a key forward for the Kangas, last week bagging six goals in a dominant display.
While Nic Naitanui will once again excite around the ground with his amazing leap at ruck contests and ever-building confidence with the ball.
If anything, that is certainly worth the price of admission tonight at Patersons Stadium.
If you don’t have a ticket, put the TV on, switch on the wireless and join in the conversation with us at The Roar as we bring you a Friday Night special in Perth.
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