THERE is nobody better placed to tip this Saturday's winner than the coaches who have plotted against West Coast and Hawthorn all year.
AFL.com.au has canvassed the opinion of 11 senior coaches and 11 assistants to get their take on the premiership decider.
The coaches' pick is Hawthorn, but there is still more than a little support for the Eagles, with one senior coach unable to pick a winner and tipping a draw.
ADELAIDE
David Teague
West Coast by 5 points
"I think the wider space will allow the Eagles very fast offence if they can handle the Hawks' physicality and pressure, giving them one-on-one contests in the forward line."
BRISBANE LIONS
Justin Leppitsch
Hawthorn
"The only reason is their experience as this is a 50/50 game."
CARLTON
Brendon Bolton
Hawthorn by 12 points
COLLINGWOOD
Nathan Buckley
Hawthorn by four points
ESSENDON
Mark Harvey
West Coast by 11 points
"Naitanui will be the difference for West Coast. The Eagles also have great ‘fire power’ in Kennedy, LeCras, Hill, Darling, Cripps and Shuey."
Matt Egan
Hawthorn by 24 points
"Hawthorn have the experience of performing on the big occasion. The Hawks have also hit form at the right time of the year."
FREMANTLE
Unavailable.
GEELONG
Chris Scott
Hawthorn by six points
GOLD COAST
Rodney Eade
Hawthorn by 14 points
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Leon Cameron
Hawthorn by 12 points
"The Hawks have been there and done that. That'll be the difference in a tight one."
Amon Buchanan
Hawthorn by 34 points
"The Hawks' experience will see them come out on top on the big stage. Hodge to bag his third Norm Smith - he's a genius."
Luke Power
West Coast by 10 points
"Because I don't want Hawthorn to win three in a row like the Lions."
MELBOURNE
Paul Roos
West Coast by one point
"Both teams are matched incredibly even. I think West Coast have the slight edge because they have had a week off, whereas Hawthorn have had to play all finals."
NORTH MELBOURNE
Unavailable.
PORT ADELAIDE
Ken Hinkley
Hawthorn by 15 points
"The Hawks are too experienced right across the ground."
RICHMOND
Brendon Lade
Hawthorn by 22 points
"Playing on the MCG will test West Coast’s team defence on the bigger ground."
ST KILDA
Alan Richardson
Hawthorn by 13 points
"Their best versus West Coast’s best combined with the Grand Final experience they have will get the job done."
Rohan Welsh
West Coast by 24 points
"I think West Coast's forwards will be too strong for the Hawthorn defenders and if the Hawks defenders zone off, like they normally do, and the Eagles lower their eyes they can kick enough goals to win."
Aaron Hamill
West Coast by 21 points
"Effectiveness going inside 50 will be pivotal for the Eagles. They are very capable at the contested ball (+8 in the first week of the finals against the Hawks) and in the same game they kept the Hawks to 64 marks. This stat went along way in helping the Eagles win."
SYDNEY SWANS
John Longmire
Draw
"Both coaches are former teammates of mine and I can't pick this, so I'm going with a draw."
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Luke Beveridge
Draw
Daniel Giansiracusa
Hawthorn by 13 points
"Hawks' skill level will get them through the Eagles' defence on the wider ground."
Rohan Smith
Hawthorn by 21 points
"Best team all year and will get the three-peat."
Joel Corey
West Coast by eight points