SUMMARY
The Eagles' season is suddenly alive after thrashing Essendon and they face a Geelong side that has lost its past three matches at Patersons, albeit by eight points or less. The Cats have lost two of their past four matches in 2013 to Adelaide and North Melbourne and are spluttering a little. Geelong's midfield poses a significant threat but West Coast boasts an advantage in the ruck, even without Nic Naitanui. Dean Cox is the seventh-ranked ruckman (102nd overall) in the Official AFL Player Ratings while Trent West is the Cats' highest-rated ruckman at 17th (256th overall). 
  
WHERE AND WHEN: Patersons Stadium, Saturday August 17, 5.40pm
 
 
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2012, West Coast 16.6 (102) d Geelong 15.7 (97) at Patersons Stadium
2PF, 2011, Geelong 17.15 (117) d West Coast 10.9 (69) at the MCG
R16, 2011, West Coast 14.12 (96) d Geelong 13.10 (88) at Patersons Stadium
R22, 2010, Geelong 16.16 (112) d West Coast 10.8 (68) at Simonds Stadium
R11, 2010, Geelong 18.14 (122) d West Coast 14.14 (98) at Patersons Stadium 

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles have won two of the past three clashes between the sides but Geelong has won seven of the past nine.

2. This will be the 46th contest between the two sides. West Coast holds a narrow advantage with 23 wins to 21. There has been one draw.

3. In the past two matches between these two sides at Patersons Stadium, the Eagles have won by just eight and five points.

4. The Eagles hold a distinct advantage in the ruck. They are ranked first this season for hit-outs averaging 47.9 per game, while the Cats are 13th, averaging 37.2.

5. West Coast is ranked fourth for clearances with 39.9 per game, Geelong is ranked 16th with 34.1 per game.

6. Both Joel and Scott Selwood won the best and fairest for their club as 22-year-olds. Joel is ranked third on the Official AFL Player Ratings having not won a club best and fairest since 2010. Scott won the 2012 best and fairest at West Coast and is ranked 110th.