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The West Coast Eagles have kept their top four hopes well and truly alive with close win over the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium.
Final score
West Coast Eagles 13.8.86
GWS Giants 10.15.75
The West Coast Eagles will host the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium on Sunday, a win for the Eagles will keep them in the top four, but the Giants need a win to stay in the top eight. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:40pm AEST.
The Eagles suffered their third consecutive loss last Saturday to the Adelaide Crows, run over in a last quarter blitz where the Crows scored five unanswered goals to start the final term.
Jeremy McGovern started the afternoon in the forward line, with coach Adam Simpson looking for forward presence without tall’s Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy.
However, in the rush of the Crows finish McGovern was pushed back into defence and West Coast’s scoring woes continued.
GWS held on for a win over Hawthorn last Saturday night and jumped into the top eight.
Without Jeremy Cameron due to suspension, Rory Lobb came in and had immediate impact, while their elite midfield dominated the Hawks around the ground.
Both teams will bring in a debutant for this clash; West Coast blooding first-year key defender Oscar Allen and GWS bringing in small forward Brent Daniels.
Forwards Daniel Venables and Nathan Vardy join the 2017 number 21 draft pick, Oscar Allen, in West Coast’s side to face the Giants.
Fraser McInnes, Jake Waterman and Liam Ryan have been omitted; Ryan will miss due to personal circumstances after the flying small forward was involved in a car accident on Monday morning.
Along with last year’s pick 27 Brent Daniels, defender Harry Perryman has been recalled for his sixth game in the Giants’ senior side after strong NEAFL performances.
In devastating news though, Jonathon Patton suffered an ACL injury to his left knee on Thursday after landing awkwardly at training. This is Patton’s third ACL after two reconstructions on his right knee in 2013 and 2014.
Jacob Hopper is out with calf tightness this week but should be available to face Richmond at Spotless Stadium in round 17.
After a run of ten wins from round two to twelve, West Coast now find themselves in third position on the ladder, amongst four teams all on ten wins.
GWS leapfrogged Hawthorn to put themselves in the top eight last week, however could fall outside without a win over the Eagles on Sunday.
The West Coast Eagles were 25-point winners in round eight, but when the two match-up for the fourth time in 12 months who will take the points?
Prediction
West Coast and GWS find themselves in a similar position: playing without their normally dominant tall forwards.
West Coast are trying to mix things up, but it’s the Giant’s with the answers.
Rory Lobb and the Giants’ elite midfielders who can go forward and make a big impact will serve the Eagles their fourth consecutive loss.
GWS Giants by 9.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:40pm AEST.
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