1. Defending premiers could slip from top four
Everything was going smoothly for Hawthorn in its search for a fourth straight flag, but the Hawks have dropped two of their last three games to suddenly slide down the ladder. The Hawks could be as low as fourth at the end of this weekend if the Sydney Swans, Adelaide and Geelong all win. And while they would be favoured to beat Collingwood next week, a loss there and they could miss out on the all-important double chance in the first week of the finals. Meanwhile, West Coast remains in the hunt for a top-four berth. Friday’s win sets up a massive clash with the Crows at the Adelaide Oval in a week’s time.
2. West Coast gets down and dirty to thrive in the tough stuff
The Eagles put their head over the ball and smashed the Hawks at the contest. It's been an area that has been the barometer of the Eagles' season. The Hawks had a +25 differential in contested possessions when they beat the Eagles at the MCG in round two. This time, roles were reversed. West Coast set the platform in the first half before going on with the job after the break, winning the contested possession count 153 to 108 and the clearances 43 to 31. In this sort of mood, the Eagles will challenge any side in the competition.
3. Kennedy throws down gauntlet in Coleman Medal race
West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy is in the box seat to finish the season as the competition's leading goal-kicker. Kennedy was unstoppable with four goals in the first half before finishing the match with five. That takes his total to 75 for the season and gives him an eight-goal buffer ahead of Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin (67). Gold Coast gun Tom Lynch is also in the mix, just a goal further back on 66. The Swans take on the Kangaroos this weekend while Lynch and the Suns face Collingwood.
4. Double ruck blow leaves both birds short on big men
The Eagles and the Hawks paid a heavy cost for the Domain Stadium encounter, with both sides losing ruckmen to knee injuries. Hawthorn's Jonathon Ceglar was the first to leave the ground in the third quarter when he landed on his right knee in a marking contest. Nic Naitanui – last week's match-winning hero against Greater Western Sydney – followed suit when he landed awkwardly on his left knee near the end of the quarter. Both players will have scans to determine the severity of their injuries, but neither side can afford to be without their first-choice rucks going into September. The Eagles also lost Scott Lycett with a leg injury in the last quarter.
5. Coaching staff does homework on Hawks stars Mitchell and Gibson
When Hawthorn touched up the Eagles in round two at the MCG, Josh Gibson racked up 44 possessions as a loose man in defence and Sam Mitchell had 37 touches. This time around, West Coast coach Adam Simpson and his assistants hatched a plan to limit their influence. They put Mark Hutchings as a tagger on Mitchell, keeping the Hawks ball magnet to two touches in the first quarter and nine for the half. Mitchell finished with 22 possessions, his equal second-lowest total of the year. Gibson was also made accountable and struggled to get into the game, finishing with 13 touches.
