Saturday’s AFL 2018 Round 8 match is between Greater Western Sydney Giants and West Coast Eagles. The opening kick is set to commence at 13:45 local time with the game to be played at Spotless Stadium. The home team Greater Western Sydney Giants are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Greater Western Sydney Giants and West Coast Eagles.
When: 13:45 | Saturday 12/05/2018
Where: Spotless Stadium
Preview:
Giants coach Leon Cameron lashed out at his team’s performance against the Cats and I have to agree with him.
Their talented players are performing well below the standard they are capable of.
Hopefully they get some key personnel back because they have so much talent still out with injury.
Jack Darling is in career best form and him and Josh Kennedy are the best combination of forwards in the league right now.
KEY BATTLE: Phil Davis v Josh Kennedy
One of the game’s best fullbacks versus the game’s best genuine full forward.
The Verdict
GWS to upset the Eagles at home where they are hard to beat.
The Giants have a 24-11-1 (66.7 percent) record as a home team, after an interstate match since 2014.
Unibet Odds:
GWS at $1.60
West Coast at $2.40
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Greater Western Sydney Giants at $1.45
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Ryan Griffen at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
Greater Western Sydney Giants
B: Haynes, Davis, Shaw
HB: Corr, Finlayson, Whitfield
C: Reid, Coniglio, Taranto
HF: Lloyd, Himmelberg, Shiel
F: Keeffe, Cameron, de Boer
FOLL: Lobb, Hopper, Ward
I/C: Griffen, Langdon, Cumming, Tomlinson
EMG: Simpson, Perryman, Mohr, Buckley
IN: Cameron, Lobb, Cumming
OUT: Buckley, Patton, Shipley
West Coast Eagles
B: Hurn, Barrass, Sheppard
HB: Cole, McGovern, Nelson
C: Duggan, Redden, Masten
HF: Cripps, Darling, Rioli
F: Waterman, Kennedy, LeCras
FOLL: Lycett, Yeo, Gaff
I/C: Ah Chee, McInnes, Hutchings, Ainsworth
EMG: Schofield, Rotham, Bayok, Allen
IN: Ah Chee, McInnes, Ainsworth
OUT: Naitanui, Shuey, Petrucelle
AFL News:
A big collision involving ruckman Rory Lobb is evidence of Greater Western Sydney’s desire at training this week, according to one of their leaders.
Lobb, who has missed the last four games with bone bruising on his knee, clashed with young defender Jake Stein as they contested a high ball on Wednesday.
Both men were checked out by staff following the heavy contact and Lobb remains in contention to return against West Coast on Saturday.
“It was a big collision, we probably don’t need that, but Lobby is fine, he came back on and trained with us,” GWS co-captain Callan Ward said after training.
“It was just a high ball inside 50, Steiny was coming from one side, Lobby the other.
“They didn’t really see each other and just bumped into each other, it was a big hit, but they both got up.”
While Lobb’s commitment to the contest could have ended in disaster, Ward also viewed it as a good sign, as the club look to rebound from a big loss to Geelong.
“I think given our performances at the moment, I look at that and think ‘that’s great Rory really wants a spot, he’s going really hard at the footy’,” Ward said.
“At the same time, I’m like ‘why are you (risking) getting injured at a training drill?’.
“But I think it’s great for the club and great for me to know that players really want a spot.”
Ward, who will play his 200th AFL game this weekend, said the GWS leadership group, had tinkered with aspects of training this week to sharpen the players up.
