Top-of-the ladder Hawthorn returns to the Friday night stage for the second straight week, this time taking on a West Coast team fresh off its bye. The Hawks had their space restricted by Carlton on the smaller confines of Etihad Stadium last week, but still managed to win – the hallmark of a good side. The Eagles' form has been up and down, but when firing they still pose a danger to any team. A win will keep the visitors in touch with the top eight, making it a crucial encounter. 

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday June 21, 7.50pm

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds

R2, 2013, Hawthorn 23.10 (148) d West Coast 15.8 (98) at Patersons Stadium

R23, 2012, Hawthorn 14.11 (95) d West Coast 10.10 (70) at the MCG

R4, 2012, West Coast 5.21 (51) d Hawthorn 5.16 (46) at Patersons Stadium

R4, 2011, Hawthorn 10.12 (72) d West Coast 9.11 (65) at Aurora Stadium

R7, 2010, West Coast 15.12 (102) d Hawthorn 14.10 (94) at Patersons Stadium

1. This will be these teams' second clash this season, after the Hawks triumphed by 50 points at Patersons Stadium in round two. The margin was only 19 points at three-quarter time, but Hawthorn slammed on eight goals to three in the final term. Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli combined for nine goals, while skipper Luke Hodge had 25 disposals in his first match of the season. 

2. Franklin, the top-ranked forward in the Official AFL Player Ratings, has a handy record against West Coast. He has booted 34 goals in 12 clashes with the Eagles, including three hauls of five or more. 

3. Hawthorn is at its most damaging when it can find space and use its lethal foot skills to full effect – something that is harder to do on Etihad Stadium than its usual home ground, the MCG. The Hawks rank third in uncontested possessions, second for total disposals, and first in disposal efficiency. By contrast, the Eagles have at times struggled to generate run this year, ranking 17th in uncontested possessions. Partly because they win more football in pressure situations, they rank last in disposal efficiency.

4. With its top-class ruck duo and battery of strong in-and-under midfielders, West Coast remains one of the competition's better stoppage teams. The Eagles average 16.7 more hitouts than their opposition per game (ranked first) and 3.8 more clearances (ranked fifth). They're behind only the Sydney Swans in total clearances. The Hawks, after being well beaten out of the centre square by Carlton last week, have dropped to 12th in clearance differential, averaging 0.6 clearances fewer than their opponents per game.

5. Eagle Matt Priddis ranks equal second in average clearances this season, collecting 7.1 per game. Teammates Scott Selwood and Daniel Kerr are also in the top 15, while Hawthorn's best clearance player, Jordan Lewis, is ranked 46th overall, averaging 4.2 clearances per game.

6. The Eagles are also one of the AFL's best tackling teams, averaging 69.6 per game, behind only the Swans. No player in the League has laid more tackles than Scott Selwood's 86. Hawthorn is 15th in tackles per game, at 59.6. Luke Breust is the Hawks' No.1 tackler, having laid 48 for the season.