SUMMARY
Last year's Grand Final combatants meet for the second time this season. The Hawks obliterated the Eagles in round two at the MCG by the same margin as the 2015 decider. The Eagles will take some confidence from playing at home. They won last year's qualifying final at home against Hawthorn and did so without Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis. The Hawks won't fear the Eagles given how they toyed with them in the last two encounters but they are a different prospect at Domain Stadium. The key is the supply battle. The Hawks have cut off all supply chains to Josh Kennedy in the last two meetings. The Eagles need to win the midfield battle and give their star forward a chance to hit the scoreboard.
Josh Kennedy needs a big night out against the Hawks. Picture: AFL Photos
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Friday, August 19, 6.10pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2016, Hawthorn 14.15 (99) d West Coast 7.11 (53) at the MCG
GF, 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
THE SIX POINTS
1. Josh Gibson played a starring role in round two with 44 disposals, one goal and four tackles. Sam Mitchell had 37 disposals. Cyril Rioli and Jack Gunston kicked four goals each while at the other end, Josh Kennedy was held to one goal.
2. The Eagles might be able to test the Hawks with marks inside 50. The Eagles are equal-third in the AFL, averaging 13.8 per game. The Hawks are 11th with 11.8 per game.
3. Hawthorn has dominated West Coast recently winning seven of the last eight matches, with four wins by more than 40 points.
4. The Eagles continue to be the most accurate side in front of goal kicking 296.213 at 55 per cent. But the Hawks are ranked third kicking at 53.6 per cent.
5. Hawthorn is ranked second for effective disposal efficiency operating at 74.9 per cent. West Coast is ranked equal-13th at 73 per cent.
6. Two of the most exciting players in the game will feature on Friday night. Nic Naitanui (ranked seventh) is ahead of Cyril Rioli (ninth) on the Schick AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Josh Kennedy.
He is the leader in the Coleman Medal race. In last year's qualifying final win over the Hawks he was the dominant figure. But he's been held to just one goal in the last two encounters. The Eagles need him to have a big night.
PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 10 points
