After our loss against Port Adelaide tonight, we finish the Home & Away Season eighth on 9-1-7. The ladder position is probably more than fair for the form we have shown throughout this season thus far.
This is the match-up most teams dreaded: Playing the West Coast Eagles in Perth. To me it's a massive opportunity. The Eagles went 8-0 in Perth this season, which has prompted some in the media to declare them as the Elimination Final winners before their opponent was even determined. Add to that their performance against us earlier this season, it has the feeling for the Eagles that it will just happen. Their plane tickets for a return to Queensland are already booked.
The Eagles are given a hall-pass for their form when it comes to games in Queensland. However, they have recently beaten North by 15 points, St Kilda by 15 points and lost to the Bulldogs by 2 points. Despite missing a few of their stars and still collecting two wins from their last two games, their form leading into this game is by no means intimidating.
The Eagles' injury list, for what it's worth, has been mounting in recent times. Some players are in the frame to return (or 50-50 at the very least) with thanks to the bye. As of Saturday (per the AFL website): Hutchings listed as 1-2 weeks, Jetta 1-2, McGovern 2-3, Redden 2-3, Shuey 1-2, Vardy 1-2 and Yeo 2-4. Kennedy is listed as a test and I expect he - along with Shuey and McGovern - will likely get up.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Did someone say KFC?
This Round 8 game was a disaster for us and was quite simply our worst loss of the season thus far. Possibly even our worst loss in three seasons.
Despite the Eagles losing McGovern on the day of the clash, things were levelled when Scott Pendlebury suddenly withdrew from the game with a quad injury at the very last minute of the warm-up. Already missing Sidebottom due to his COVID suspension and DeGoey from his injury the week prior, the Pies were absolutely dominated by a strong Eagles midfield and had no answers. Not to mention a ridiculous performance from their forward line which simply couldn't miss, no matter where from.
Despite somehow being in touch and within 11 points at half time, the Eagles put their foot down with two consecutive 6-goal quarters in the second half. The Pies managed just 2 goals in the last three quarters, and were the victims of a demoralising 18.3.111 to 6.9.45 smashing.
The Pies top ball-winners were Adam Treloar (22 disposals) and Taylor Adams (21 disposals). Darcy Cameron and Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked two goals each, with Jamie Elliott and Josh Daicos kicking our only other two goals.
For the Eagles, Tim Kelly led the way with 29 disposals and a goal. Other top ball-winners were Gaff (26 disposals, 1 goal) and Yeo (22 disposals). The Eagles' talls dominated the goal scorer's list: Kennedy kicked 7.0, Allen kicked 3.0 and Waterman kicked 2.0. Ryan, Naitanui, Kelly, Gaff, Darling and Cripps all kicked singles.
Naitanui and Grundy were evenly matched stats-wise, but the dominance and trust of West Coast's midfield to his tapwork had Naitanui's name pencilled into the AA team.
MATCH UPS
It's unsure whether Kennedy will get up for this game after injuring his ankle their must-win clash against North Melbourne last weekend. We will assume he plays.
Tim Kelly dominated us last time, which was a regular pattern in his games against us whilst at Geelong. We should consider running with him, even if it's Treloar.
Madgen might have to go with Darling although Maynard will be a reasonable back-up.
Moore vs. Kennedy
Roughead vs. Allen
Madgen vs. Darling
Other forwards from their previous game are Ryan, Rotham and Petruccelle.
CHANGES
Although we were originally hopeful of getting Sidebottom back for this clash, we probably won't get to field a stronger side than this all season.
Chris Mayne is due to come back from a fracture in his face and Brayden Sier is available for selection after recovering from a quad injury, should he be called upon.
Slightly left field, but Will Kelly is back in full training and could be a surprise option should we want another tall forward option.
Callum Brown was the last player out. Although not necessarily a fan favourite on this board, he may technically be one of the first ones back in.
IN: Mayne, Sier
OUT: T Brown, Varcoe
TIP
Collingwood by 2.
This is the match-up most teams dreaded: Playing the West Coast Eagles in Perth. To me it's a massive opportunity. The Eagles went 8-0 in Perth this season, which has prompted some in the media to declare them as the Elimination Final winners before their opponent was even determined. Add to that their performance against us earlier this season, it has the feeling for the Eagles that it will just happen. Their plane tickets for a return to Queensland are already booked.
The Eagles are given a hall-pass for their form when it comes to games in Queensland. However, they have recently beaten North by 15 points, St Kilda by 15 points and lost to the Bulldogs by 2 points. Despite missing a few of their stars and still collecting two wins from their last two games, their form leading into this game is by no means intimidating.
The Eagles' injury list, for what it's worth, has been mounting in recent times. Some players are in the frame to return (or 50-50 at the very least) with thanks to the bye. As of Saturday (per the AFL website): Hutchings listed as 1-2 weeks, Jetta 1-2, McGovern 2-3, Redden 2-3, Shuey 1-2, Vardy 1-2 and Yeo 2-4. Kennedy is listed as a test and I expect he - along with Shuey and McGovern - will likely get up.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Did someone say KFC?
This Round 8 game was a disaster for us and was quite simply our worst loss of the season thus far. Possibly even our worst loss in three seasons.
Despite the Eagles losing McGovern on the day of the clash, things were levelled when Scott Pendlebury suddenly withdrew from the game with a quad injury at the very last minute of the warm-up. Already missing Sidebottom due to his COVID suspension and DeGoey from his injury the week prior, the Pies were absolutely dominated by a strong Eagles midfield and had no answers. Not to mention a ridiculous performance from their forward line which simply couldn't miss, no matter where from.
Despite somehow being in touch and within 11 points at half time, the Eagles put their foot down with two consecutive 6-goal quarters in the second half. The Pies managed just 2 goals in the last three quarters, and were the victims of a demoralising 18.3.111 to 6.9.45 smashing.
The Pies top ball-winners were Adam Treloar (22 disposals) and Taylor Adams (21 disposals). Darcy Cameron and Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked two goals each, with Jamie Elliott and Josh Daicos kicking our only other two goals.
For the Eagles, Tim Kelly led the way with 29 disposals and a goal. Other top ball-winners were Gaff (26 disposals, 1 goal) and Yeo (22 disposals). The Eagles' talls dominated the goal scorer's list: Kennedy kicked 7.0, Allen kicked 3.0 and Waterman kicked 2.0. Ryan, Naitanui, Kelly, Gaff, Darling and Cripps all kicked singles.
Naitanui and Grundy were evenly matched stats-wise, but the dominance and trust of West Coast's midfield to his tapwork had Naitanui's name pencilled into the AA team.
MATCH UPS
It's unsure whether Kennedy will get up for this game after injuring his ankle their must-win clash against North Melbourne last weekend. We will assume he plays.
Tim Kelly dominated us last time, which was a regular pattern in his games against us whilst at Geelong. We should consider running with him, even if it's Treloar.
Madgen might have to go with Darling although Maynard will be a reasonable back-up.
Moore vs. Kennedy
Roughead vs. Allen
Madgen vs. Darling
Other forwards from their previous game are Ryan, Rotham and Petruccelle.
CHANGES
Although we were originally hopeful of getting Sidebottom back for this clash, we probably won't get to field a stronger side than this all season.
Chris Mayne is due to come back from a fracture in his face and Brayden Sier is available for selection after recovering from a quad injury, should he be called upon.
Slightly left field, but Will Kelly is back in full training and could be a surprise option should we want another tall forward option.
Callum Brown was the last player out. Although not necessarily a fan favourite on this board, he may technically be one of the first ones back in.
IN: Mayne, Sier
OUT: T Brown, Varcoe
TIP
Collingwood by 2.
