HAWTHORN will be desperate to bounce back quickly when it takes on West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium on Saturday.
The third-placed Hawks need to win to keep alive their hopes of a top-two finish.
A win for the second-placed Eagles would see them move 10 points clear of the Hawks, and almost assured of a home qualifying final.
The form
Hawthorn
The Hawks will enter their clash with the Eagles on the back of an 18-point loss to Richmond.
But prior to that, the Hawks had won eight consecutive games, including comprehensive wins over fellow top four sides Fremantle and Sydney Swans.
Jordan Lewis has racked up 70 disposals in the past fortnight, while Jack Gunston has kicked 13 goals across the past three weeks.
West Coast Eagles
The Eagles will also be seeking a return to the winners’ list, after a draw with the struggling Gold Coast Suns.
However the Eagles had won their previous six games, and are yet to lose to an interstate team at Domain Stadium this season.
Ball magnet Matt Priddis has collected 68 disposals in the past fortnight – and laid 20 tackles.
Recent history
The Hawks have strong recent history against the Eagles, with four consecutive wins heading into Saturday’s blockbuster.
An average margin of just under six goals has separated the Hawks from the Eagles in those meetings.
The last time West Coast beat the Hawks was in Round 4, 2012, with the Eagles scoring a five-point triumph on their home turf.
Ins and outs
Hawthorn
It looks unlikely that the Hawks will make many changes to its side to face the Eagles.
Taylor Duryea, Liam Shiels, Ben Stratton and James Frawley all returned from injury against the Tigers, while Matt Spangher and Will Langford remain on the sidelines.
Ruckman Jon Ceglar could come into consideration after a strong performance at VFL level, while midfielders Jonathan Simpkin, Jed Anderson and Jonathan O’Rourke are pressing for senior recalls.
West Coast Eagles
The Eagles look set to welcome back key defender Jeremy McGovern from a hamstring injury.
The rising star has played just 27 AFL games, but has made a big impact this season.
Patrick McGinnity and Tom Lamb pressed their claims for senior selection with strong WAFL performances, while the Eagles believe Chris Masten, Cal Sinclair and Will Schofield will all overcome minor injuries in time to play.
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