1. Matt Priddis (West Coast Eagles)
Star Eagles midfielder Matt Priddis, the reigning Brownlow Medallist, is having another outstanding year.
The ball magnet averages 30.4 disposals per game in 2015, and leads the Eagles in contested possessions (15.1 per game), tackles (7.6 per game) and clearances (7.7 per game).
While the Eagles have built a strong midfield group, there is no man more important to their chances of victory than Priddis.
2. Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
Last time the Hawks met the Eagles, vice-captain Jarryd Roughead kicked eight goals.
Last week, the Hawks were held to just seven goals by Richmond.
Roughead has 31 goals from 15 games this year – and he will be looking to help the Hawks have a greater impact on the scoreboard on Saturday.
3. Andrew Gaff (West Coast Eagles)
Durable midfielder Andrew Gaff has continued his rise as one of the Eagles’ most important players.
The 23-year-old hasn’t missed a game since 2011 – his debut year – and is averaging 29.9 disposals per game in 2015.
Gaff leads the Eagles for uncontested possessions and inside-50s, and it is his ability to drive the ball into attack that the Hawks will be wary of.
4. Ben McEvoy (Hawthorn)
Winning the ball out of the middle is always important – and even more so at Domain Stadium.
Ruckman Ben McEvoy has had a strong month of football and will be pivotal to the Hawks’ chances – in tandem with the returning Jon Ceglar – against the Eagles' Scott Lycett and Callum Sinclair.
McEvoy’s mobility around the ground – both in the air and at ground level – and his ability to push forward and impact the scoreboard has been significant in recent weeks.
5. Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles)
Few teams have managed to shut down power forward Josh Kennedy this season – and that task awaits Hawthorn this weekend.
Kennedy has kicked 58 goals this season – which includes 11 hauls of three or more – and the job of marking him will likely fall to Brian Lake or James Frawley.
The Hawks will need to keep Kennedy quiet – but also can’t afford to focus solely on the sharpshooter – with the Eagles’ forward line boasting a host of dangerous types including Mark LeCras and Jack Darling.
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