SUMMARY
If ever West Coast needs to step up and shake the tag of 'flat-track bullies', it's this week against the Giants in Sydney, a match that could have a massive bearing on the rest of their season. The Giants scraped over the line with an ugly, yet extremely important win over Gold Coast last week, but are a very different side at Spotless Stadium, and have been in outstanding form at home this season apart from their round 16 shocker against Collingwood. The The Eagles will struggle to match GWS for midfield depth but star ruckman Nic Naitanui will give them the edge over Shane Mumford in the air, so he should provide plenty of opportunities for Matt Priddis, who looks set for a battle with fellow West Aussie and hard nut Stephen Coniglio in the middle of the ground.
Phil Davis will have his hands full against Josh Kennedy. Picture: AFL Photos
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Saturday, August 13, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FOUR MEETINGS
R5, 2015, West Coast Eagles 18.12 (120) d Greater Western Sydney 4.9 (33) at Domain Stadium
R8, 2014, West Coast Eagles 30.8 (188) d Greater Western Sydney 12.5 (77) at Domain Stadium
R9, 2013, West Coast Eagles 23.17 (155) d Greater Western Sydney 8.7 (55) at Spotless Stadium
R3, 2012, West Coast Eagles 23.12 (150) d Greater Western Sydney 10.9 (69) at Blacktown Olympic Sports Park
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Giants didn't trouble West Coast the last time these sides played, especially after quarter-time when the Eagles kicked 14 goals to one. Josh Kennedy and Josh Hill kicked 10 goals between them.
2. GWS is the No.1 ranked team for clearances averaging 41.1 per game, ahead of West Coast ranked equal seventh. The Giants are third in centre clearances and the Eagles eighth.
3. The four clashes so far between the sides haven't been close; the Eagles' average winning margin is 95 points and the Giants' average score is only 58 points per game.
4. GWS is ranked first for inside 50s and sixth for marks inside 50, while West Coast is ninth for inside 50s but equal second for marks inside 50.
5. West Coast will be hoping to improve its interstate record in 2016, losing five of eight games, with four games decided by less than 20 points.
6. Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis started the season ranked 11th in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, then dropped to 20th by round seven, before rising again to 13th this week.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Phil Davis.
The GWS co-captain will have a massive job on Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy, who is fresh off a seven-goal haul in the Western Derby against Fremantle. The West Australian looms as the only real forward threat for the Giants, and Davis will be keen to bounce back after lowering his colours to Gold Cast star Tom Lynch last week.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 34 points.
