West Coast hang by a thread in season 2013 and a win this week will see them keep their head above water for yet another week and a loss will see the curtain come down on a year that hasn’t lived up their expectations.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, they host a Geelong side that has only lost four games this season.
Two of those losses have come in the past five rounds however and West Coast have won two of their last three games against the Cats, including the most recent encounter in round 20 last year.
After three losses, including a surprise defeat to the Western Bulldogs, the Eagles have since accounted for Gold Coast and last week, the struggling Essendon Bombers.
This will be a big step up in quality of opposition for them this week and given that the Eagles have only registered one win over a top eight side this season, will likely struggle to meet the challenge.
Geelong, haven’t been at their best in the past month with unexpected losses to Adelaide and Richmond catching most by surprise.
Surprisingly, the Cats in the final quarter of three of their past four games have been outscored and should the Eagles be able to stick with the Cats, a home ground crowd could prove most advantageous.
More often that not, Geelong rises to the challenge and whilst this game will certainly be that, would expect them to come out on top.
Odds comparison by AFL Odds:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| West Coast Eagles | 2.55 | 2.75 | 2.70 | 2.75 | 2.55 | 2.57 |
|
Geelong Cats
|
1.50 | 1.45 | 1.47 | 1.45 | 1.50 | 1.51 |
Teams:
West Coast Eagles:
B: M.Brown D.Glass P.McGinnity
HB: S.Butler E.Mackenzie As.Smith
C: A.Gaff S.Wellingham B.Dalziell
HF: J.Cripps JJ.Kennedy J.Hill
F: L.Shuey S.Lycett J.Darling
FOLL: D.Cox S.Selwood M.Priddis
I/C: W.Schofield B.Sheppard C.Masten A.Carter
EMG: A.Embley A.Hams M.Rosa
In: Luke Shuey, Adam Carter
Out: Blayne Wilson (omitted), Mark LeCras (ribs)
Geelong Cats:
B: J.Rivers T.Lonergan C.Enright
HB: C.Guthrie H.Taylor J.Bartel
C: A.Christensen J.Selwood J.Kelly
HF: M.Stokes M.Blicavs S.Johnson
F: S.Motlop J.Podsiadly T.Varcoe
FOLL: N.Vardy J.Caddy M.Duncan
I/C: J.Corey A.Mackie J.Murdoch J.Walker
EMG: J.Hunt J.Schroder J.Stringer
In: Jordan Murdoch, Mark Blicavs
Out: Tom Hawkins (back), Jesse Stringer (omitted)