WEST Coast veteran Dom Sheed is a late inclusion for Saturday night's clash against Essendon after Ryan Maric was ruled out due to illness.

The Eagles will be looking to make it three wins on its home deck in a row when they welcomes the Bombers to Optus Stadium in the final game on Saturday.

Debutant Harvey Johnston will start as the Eagles' sub, while Ben Hobbs will do likewise or the visitors.

EAGLES v BOMBERS Follow it LIVE

The Eagles were starting to show signs of turning its fortunes around when pushing Essendon to within the barest of margins when the sides met late last season.

West Coast (2-5) looms as a far more dangerous prospect now compared to earlier in the season, especially after winning two of its past three games, and are set to be bolstered by the return of Harley Reid after the young gun was rested last week.

Essendon (4-2-1) went within a stray shot at goal of clinching a stirring victory over Collingwood on Anzac Day, which would have well and truly confirmed its place as a top-eight contender.

But the Bombers must now quickly lift themselves back up to make the most of a stretch of matches against three of the current bottom-four sides over the next month.

Harley Reid and Tom Barrass return in a massive boost for the Eagles, while he Bombers welcome back Archie Perkins and Matt Guelfi, with Sam Draper and Nick Hind out.

02:24

Match Previews R8: West Coast v Essendon

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Eagles and Bombers at Optus Stadium

Published on Apr 30, 2024

Meanwhile, Melbourne hosts Geelong at the MCG in a blockbuster Saturday night clash.

The Demons (5-2) have breezed past their less fancied opponents this season to edge into the top four, but they could still do with making a statement against a contender like Geelong.

DEMONS v CATS Follow it LIVE

The Demons have fallen short against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium the last two times they have met, but will be boosted by facing the League leaders at the MCG for the first time in more than three years.

The all-conquering Geelong (7-0) could put more breathing space between itself and its most likely challengers with a third consecutive victory over a top-four hopeful.

The Cats have shown they can win in different ways and even when well below their best, but will now have to stand up without injured captain Patrick Dangerfield to maintain an unbeaten start to the season.

Gary Rohan returns for the Cats as the sub, while Mark O'Connor and Brandan Parfitt have been managed for the clash against the unchanged Demons.

03:16

Match Previews R8: Melbourne v Geelong

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Demons and Cats at the MCG

Published on Apr 30, 2024

West Coast v Essendon at Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST

LATE CHANGES
West Coast: Ryan Maric (illness) replaced in selected side by Dom Sheed

SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Harvey Johnston
Essendon: Ben Hobbs

EAGLES v BOMBERS Follow it LIVE

Melbourne v Geelong at the MCG, 7.30pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Bailey Laurie
Geelong: Gary Rohan

DEMONS v CATS Follow it LIVE

St Kilda v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Ryan Byrnes
North Melbourne: Toby Pink

SAINTS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Sydney v Greater Western Sydney at the SCG, 1.45pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Robbie Fox
Greater Western Sydney: Harvey Thomas

SWANS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats