WEST COAST will be gunning for their first premiership since 2006 when they take on the Hawks in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final at the MCG.
In just his second year as coach, Adam Simpson will be hoping the Eagles can claim their fourth flag in their 29-year history – an impressive feat considering their ninth-placed finish in 2014.
But the Eagles will be playing just their second match at the MCG this season when they take the field on Saturday; a situation Simpson says concedes a slight advantage to the Hawks.
“Its difficult, probably as difficult as people playing here (at Subiaco) and clubs playing here… but if you want to win a grand final you’ve got to win it at the ‘G,” he said after their preliminary final win over North Melbourne.
“We’d love to play more games there but it just doesn’t happen.”
The Eagles’ relative finals inexperience is another challenge they’ll have to overcome on the AFL’s biggest stage after inaccuracy in front of goal almost cost them against the Kangaroos.
“We should have kicked more goals, we had more scoring shots, kicked lots of points, so…we couldn’t work on goal kicking any more but there was a stage tonight where I thought it could have cost us the game,” Simpson said.
“Prelims are big games and like I said we’ve got a lot of guys going through new experiences, and it happens. So as long as we get enough supply hopefully the goals come.”
The apprentice will face the master in the most significant of circumstances as well on Saturday, with Simpson meeting former mentor Alastair Clarkson for just the third time as the opposing coach, having spent 2010 through 2013 as an assistant with the Hawks.
“Hawthorn are experienced warriors and we’ve got to match that. I don’t think we’re going to fluke so well have to earn every kick and handball we can get next week.
“We’re going to enjoy what we’ve done to this point and we’re on a mission, we want to win a premiership. We’ve now given ourselves an opportunity to do that.”
Players to watch
Matt Priddis, who finished runner up in Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count, didn’t play against the Hawks in the qualifying final and will be all-important in the crucial midfield and contested ball battle.
Priddis returned against the Kangaroos last week, gathering 26 disposals, seven clearances and six inside 50s to be one of the Eagles’ best.
Mark LeCras will also be one the Hawks will have to watch.
Amongst the best in their qualifying final encounter, LeCras has kicked 44 goals in 2015 and leads the Eagles for goal assists this season. He is second behind only Josh Kennedy for marks inside 50.
Potential Changes
The Eagles escaped any injury concerns in their preliminary final win over the Kangaroos.
A squad of 42 players took part in training on Monday, according to AFL.com.au, and it’s highly likely they’ll take an unchanged team into Saturday’s decider.
Matt Rosa started as the substitute against North Melbourne and had only three disposals when he came on in the final quarter.
The man he replaced, Chris Masten, was subbed out after returning from a hamstring injury and, despite gathering only 10 disposals, should be selected to play.
Vice-captain and 2012 best and fairest winner, Scott Selwood, looms as the most likely replacement should either not be selected.
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