SUMMARY
It won't make up for the heartbreak of losing last year's Grand Final to the Hawks, but West Coast should have the weapons to get the win this time around. The Eagles will go in with a more potent forward line and appear deeper through the midfield as well. The Hawks played just 40 minutes of decent football last Monday and will surely lift, but they might not have the personnel, with skipper Luke Hodge now joining a concerning injury list.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday, April 3, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
Grand Final, 2015, Hawthorn 16.11 (107) d West Coast 8.13 (61) at the MCG
2QF, 2015, West Coast 14.12 (96) d Hawthorn 9.10 (64) at Domain Stadium
R19, 2015, Hawthorn 13.10 (88) d West Coast 11.8 (74) at Domain Stadium
R12, 2014, Hawthorn 19.9 (123) d West Coast 12.7 (79) at Aurora Stadium
R13, 2013, Hawthorn 19.9 (123) d West Coast 16.7 (103) at Etihad Stadium
Ryan Schoenmakers needs to get busy after a scratchy game against the Cats. Picture: AFL Media
The six points
1. Hawthorn dominated West Coast in the 2015 Grand Final with 115 more disposals, 92 more marks, 14 more tackles, six more scoring shots and 19 more inside 50s.
2. West Coast continues to be one of the highest scoring teams - its score of 26.10 (166) in round one against the Lions was their highest score since early in 2014 and the sixth time since the start of 2015 they’ve kicked 20 goals or more.
3. Hawthorn and West Coast clash for the 47th time and, despite recent results, the Eagles still hold a narrow advantage winning 25 games to 21.
4. In round one against Geelong, the Hawks lost the disposal count, laid less tackles and had fewer insides 50 and clearances. Only Sam Mitchell had more than 30 disposals.
5. West Coast doesn’t enjoy a good recent record at the MCG - since 2011 it has lost nine of 12 matches and it hasn't defeated the Hawks there since 2006.
6. Nic Naitanui will be the highest-ranked player in this match according to the Schick AFL Player Ratings. He is the eight-ranked player overall (and the second highest ruckman) on 579.6 points.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Ryan Schoenmakers
The Hawks key forward was ordinary against the Cats last Monday with just two disposals. He needs to get busier if Hawthorn is to match the high-scoring Eagles.
PREDICTION: West Coast by nine points.
