West Coast have gone a game clear on top of the AFL ladder with a nailbiting 15-point win over Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Hawthorn Hawks 9.6.60
West Coast Eagles 11.9.75
Sunday’s early game provides us with a treat, as Hawthorn host a barnstorming West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live commentary and scores from 1:10pm AEST.
Eight in a row. That’s the amount of wins this resurgent West Coast outfit has saluted thus far this season. There’s no denying it – they’re looking phenomenal ten rounds in, and they’re probably a genuine premiership threat.
Hosting them this afternoon is Hawthorn, who have been good at times, downright poor at others.
Last week? An appalling 57 point loss to Brisbane. The week before? A narrow loss to Sydney.
This means a loss this afternoon would condemn them to their third straight, undoing much of their good early season momentum.
We’re heading to Etihad Stadium for this afternoon’s match – a rarity given the Hawks are hosting, but like Collingwood on Friday night, an apparent necessity.
This duo has only played on the ground once before – with Hawthorn winning – whilst the Eagles are 50/50 on this ground since last season.
The Hawks have made a couple of changes, omitting two youngsters in Kaiden Brand and James Worpel. They gain two important players back, though, with James Frawley and Jaeger O’Meara returning.
The Eagles are, unsurprisingly, unchanged.
Prediction
This should be a cracker of a game. There’s no doubt the Hawks will desperately desire to bounce back from last week’s loss, whilst the Eagles are gunning for their ninth straight win.
Honestly, anything other than an Eagles win will genuinely surprise me. They’ve got the form, the players and the fans behind them. History is the only thing going against them – they haven’t beaten the Hawks’ in footy’s traditional state since 2006 – but this’ll be the day that changes.
The Eagles to win, by about four goals.
West Coast by 23 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:10pm AEST.
User
Roar Rookie
Cat- if Hawkins had not been done for pleading guilty would you care so much, if that goes to the tribunal then the afl should be ashamed for wasting resources when a fine at most would suffice and avoid the silliness of conjecture, as it stands there is no hard n fast rule and every incident will be judged on merits.
Cat
Roar Guru
Mattician I think you are confusing intent with umpire reaction. Rioli intended to touch the umpires bum. It wasn’t an accident. It was a deliberate act. That makes it intentional. It doesn’t matter if it’s a feather light touch or not, by the rules it is straight to the tribunal if it is deemed intentional. Please note I have not once commented what he ultimate sanction should or shouldn’t be. I am simply stating the MRO should have no choice but to refer it.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Rioli actually reaches out to the umpire to pat him, if that's not intentional than nothing is. There was no reflex action whatsoever with his but you could argue there was with the others. Obviously our views differ and that's fair enough
User
Roar Rookie
Ed and tom are in a different ballpark completely, yes you're allowed that opinion but I don't think you'll find many agreeing that rioli was a more deliberate touch.
Kane
Roar Rookie
He has to get at least that, it was probably the most "intentional" one this year though so he might get a week. Like I said, I don't agree with it but unfortunately that's football now.
User
Roar Rookie
If it goes he will get a fine like Charlie curnow nothing more.
Kane
Roar Rookie
I don't agree with it but he has to go, unfortunately the AFL has done this to themselves.
User
Roar Rookie
PeteB not exactly cutting when your a game clear on top sunshine but well done to you.
User
Roar Rookie
Cat and Carlton supporters are set to be disappointed, curnow and Hawkins were being petulant rioli will be fine kids maybe $1000 poorer nothing more, save the outrage for Kelly asking for trade cat.
PeteB
Guest
So they just beat the team that got smashed by Brisbane last week...wow !
User
Roar Rookie
Winning form is good form, 4/4 on the road with victory at MCG once. Team that win 9 in a row are usually amongst it when it counts historically
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Wow Bird, that's the first honest criticism of Clarko I've seen in here since I found this place.
Kane
Roar Rookie
International touch so it has to be straight to the tribunal and if he gets off then the AFL have to appeal it. They've made their bed and now they've got to lay in it.
Pete B
Guest
So they beat the team that got smashed by Brisbane last week...wow !
Cat
Roar Guru
Yes. I still doubt form in May guarantees form in 3 months from now. Not saying it will happen, but they wouldn’t be the first team to peak too early. They still haven’t shown the can win at the MCG.
Scott
Guest
I cannot stand this Sunday game nonsense
User
Roar Rookie
A lot of it is the sum of players retired/moved on vs who has been brought in. Hawks aren't bad but not good either if that makes sense.
Lroy
Guest
The omens are good , Simmo must have sacrificed a pig pre season ;-)
Birdman
Guest
yeah AD, Freo and Port can armwrestle for the worst club song IMHO. followed the game on the radio so hard to comment but Hawthorn's lack of forward structure continues to frustrate me enormously - few precise entries just bomb it in and hope. Clarko has to take some of the blame when nothing changes week after week - can't just be down to the players.
User
Roar Rookie
Cheers mate, rain clouds are back in Perth, hope work isn't to busy with crows fans staying home.