DEPENDING on results earlier in the weekend, the final make-up of the top eight could hinge on this match. It looked unlikely a few weeks ago, but the Eagles are a chance to qualify for the finals if Collingwood and Richmond lose and they take care of the Suns. But that will be no easy feat. Despite losing its past two matches to Port Adelaide and Essendon, Gold Coast has returned to something resembling the early-season form that took it to a 7-2 record and fourth place. The towering West Coast forward line of Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Jeremy McGovern looms as a headache for a Suns team decimated by injuries to their key position stocks in recent weeks. With their midfield firing though, they'll be tough to beat at home.


WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Sunday August 31, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FOUR TIMES
R13, 2014, West Coast 15.13 (103) d Gold Coast 15.10 (100) at Patersons Stadium
R19, 2013, West Coast 20.10 (130) d Gold Coast 17.11 (113) at Patersons Stadium
R14, 2012, West Coast 25.16 (166) d Gold Coast 5.10 (40) at Patersons Stadium
R11, 2011, West Coast 13.7 (85) d Gold Coast 10.7 (67) at Patersons Stadium

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THE SIX POINTS
1. In the Eagles' three-point win in round 13 the home side led by 35 points at three-quarter time before Gold Coast hit the front late in the final quarter. Josh Kennedy booted seven goals, while Dion Prestia had 38 disposals for the Suns.

2. Gold Coast has been a strong contested possession side in 2014, ranked third with 144.9 a game, compared to West Coast's 140.3 a game, ranked eighth.

3. West Coast has had little trouble scoring against the Suns, averaging 121 points in their four matches. Kennedy has kicked 16 goals in three of the four games.  

4. One of the Eagles' strengths this season is kicking for goal. Their 52 per cent goal-kicking accuracy is ranked second, with the Suns' ranked eighth on 49.1 per cent.

5. Gold Coast is the worst team in 2014 for disposal efficiency, going at 69.8 per cent. The Eagles have fared little better, ranked 15th with 71.4 per cent.

6. Over the past four weeks Matt Priddis is ranked seventh in Official AFL Player Ratings. He has averaged 30 disposals a game over that stretch to jump to No.23 overall.

Prediction: Gold Coast by 18 points