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.
JR Salazar
Guest
And they won't win next week either. I have Freo beating this side.
JR Salazar
Guest
GWS are not a September-ready team. I have to write this team off because if they cannot beat opponents like West Coast and Adelaide, they will not make top 4 and will be eliminated in the first week.
haydos
Guest
Foxtel produced game so can't really blame Seven.
Lroy
Guest
Mate.. have a look at the replays... they were all there.. it was sloppy tackling by the Giants.. sorry.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
West Coast superstar Nic Naitanui has given the Eagles a famous one point victory after kicking the match winning goal as the siren sounded. Following a thrown-in, deep in the Eagles' forward 50, Naitanui was able to gather the ball in the ensuing scramble and steadied to kick the match winning goal to keep last year's Grand Finalist in the hunt to secure a top four spot. In a see sawing encounter the Giants seemingly answered every question asked of them by the Eagles. After opening the fourth quarter with a healthy 23 point lead, the Giants looked set to bury the Eagles and their 2016 premiership aspirations. But a transcendent midfield display from Luke Shuey (38 disposals and two goals), a strong performance from Coleman Medalist Josh Kennedy (3.3 and seven marks) and last second heroics from Naitanui (16 disposals, 45 hitouts and two goals) ensured West Coast maintained their unbeaten streak against GWS. In a reversal of last week’s game against the Suns, the Giants led the Eagles at every change only to lose in the dying seconds. In what will be a costly loss, the Giants are likely to find themselves out of the top four at the end of the round, with Adelaide and Geelong yet to play. The Giants were impressive early with elite kicking skills and manic pressure, capitalizing on some wayward kicking by the Eagles, fashioning an early three and a half goal lead. But a 10 minute surge from the Eagles and a couple of 50 metre penalties allowed West Coast to pull within five points at the major break. In the third quarter GWS responded with their own run, as they kicked five goals in quick succession to hold a game high lead heading into the final term. After an early goal by Kennedy brought the Eagles within three goals, the game settled into a stupor with the Giants controlling the ball for long periods of time. A sling tackle laid on Adam Kennedy briefly halted proceedings, with the Giant’s player stretchered off the ground in an incident that is likely to get the attention of the Match Review Panel. The break seemed to benefit the visitors with the Eagles pulling even with minutes to go. The Giants seemingly sealed the match after a strong spoil by Cameron led to a fourth Rory Lobbe goal with barely a minute remaining. However, a handy point from goal sneak Josh Hill set the stage for the mercurial Naitanui to seal a famous victory for the Eagles. Player Votes 3: Luke Shuey 2: Josh Kennedy 1: Callan Ward
justinr
Guest
really dumb from Stevie J with a lame soccer attempt rather than holding in the ball -- lazy
Gazza
Guest
That's how you play fooootbal!
Joe B
Guest
I would have thought winning was the most likely way to maintain an unbeaten record. ?
Matthew
Roar Rookie
The way the giants played last week didn't think they were going to win this week.
Freo As
Guest
GWS really blew that with inexperience. Schuey-eee-eee might need some shark carteledge for his knees, for some reason they keep buckling week after week...he needs a rule modified, disgraceful footballer.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Luke Shuey was mighty for the Eagles throughout the game finishing with 38 possesions, 23 of which were contested and 2 goals in the final quarter.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
A one point victory for the Eagles as they came from the clouds in that last quarter to steal a hugely important win. FINAL SCORE Greater Western Sydney 14.12 (96) West Coast 14.13 (97)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Naitanui picks up the ball from the throw in, and slams it on the boot FOR A GOAL!!! Insane scenes at Spotless as the Eagles maintain their unbeaten record against the Giants in the most unlikely of ways.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
There you go.
Chris Moore
Roar Rookie
What a finish!!!!! Up there with Ash McGrath a couple of years ago
Joe B
Guest
Can't believe ch7 didn't replay the last goal... bloody useless.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The Giants try to kick it out of their defensive 50, but the Eagles have all the numbers and pump it back in. Cripps goes for Kennedy, but the ball rolls out of bounds with 8 seconds remaining on the clock.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Josh Hill has a shot hemmed in on the boundary to score the behind! Handy point for the Eagles but only seconds remaining. BEHIND WEST COAST Greater Western Sydney 14.12 (96) West Coast 13.13 (91)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
A boundary kick by the eagles spoiled by Cameron with the ball spilling out to Lobbe. Lobbe kicks the goal to give the Giants the lead with 1 minute to go! Terrific fist by Cameron to set up the goal. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 14.12 (96) West Coast 13.12 (90)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The intensity has increased ten fold as the Eagles have been superb in their fightback. 3 minutes to go in the 4th, the first draw of 2016 a real chance here. Greater Western Sydney 13.12 (90) West Coast 13.12 (90)