Rnd 23: West v Eagles - Sun 8th Sep @ Richmond

[Wedgie]

West virtually assured of a double chance but the Eagles need to win to be assured of theirs.
Easily the match of the round with possibly plenty riding on it.
West wouldn't want to lose to the Eagles and then face them again the following week so I'll tip them by 4-5 goals.

[Big Phil]

Easily the match of the round with possibly plenty riding on it.

Hence the reason it is on ABC TV...

[Mark_Beswick]

I think westies will rest a lot of players - Similar to last year! Might be better to play Eages a week later again than face centrals or north with their crow players. Let the Dogs and North fight it out. I'd be amazed if Wright is allowed to qualify - He gets 2 games and 2 emergency games - He plays for the crows against WCE - How then is he allowed to be credited a game next week when he should miss?

West will be the only true team in the finals with ZERO AFL players in their finals team. Its amazing - Crouch has played brilliant footy but all of a sudden his injury means he cant compete this week - Of course, if the crows played finals this week he would have been unavailable as we all know that the Crows stand for integrity

[Aerie]

Haven't got close to Westies this season. Injury list is mounting and not sure there is anything suggesting the Eagles are in a better place to beat West this weekend than they have been in the previous two games.

Ainger had a great game in the wet against Glenelg, but besides that has struggled for months now and Salter isn't the player he was. Will need one or both of these players to lift significantly to win this weekend and make an impact in September.

[Jim05]

If Westies treat this game even half serious they should get up, I know the Eags had a couple missing last week but they looked very average, midfield is very ordinary and West should smash them in that area

[Big Phil]

I think westies will rest a lot of players - Similar to last year! Might be better to play Eages a week later again than face centrals or north with their crow players. Let the Dogs and North fight it out.

Will Westies chose not to rest players this week to enhance their chances of a win and ensure they don't have to face the Dogs in their first final, should the other results go as expected? So, West would rather play the Eagles in their first final than the Dogs, perhaps?

[The Sleeping Giant]

The arrogance is strong with this one.

[Brodlach]

There will be players rested this week BP, dont think the club will mind who they play in the qualifing final, still have to win. Dont want to underestimate the Eagles, could bite them on the ass.

[blood bath]

Last time West played Eagles at Richmond in Round 15, West made 8 changes from its team the week prior, resting players for the Foxtel Cup Semi to be played 3 days later. West won by 51 points.

For what its worth, I cant see West winning this one. Eagles will be eager to secure their spot in the top 3 and make amends for their two losses against West this year

[Aerie]

Is Luke Thompson ready yet? Would be good to get a game in to him before finals, even if reserves. Petrenko has an assessment tomorrow I think. Doubt he'll play again for the eagles. Poole should come straight back in.

[RB]

Hard to find a lot of reasons why the Eags should win this game, although the fact that West have little to play for and we have everything to play for would be the best I could come up with.

[Big Phil]

The arrogance is strong with this one.

No arrogance at all, just a genuine question...

By the way, just to let you know, I slept really well last night...

[Big Phil]

There will be players rested this week BP, dont think the club will mind who they play in the qualifing final, still have to win. Dont want to underestimate the Eagles, could bite them on the ass.

Thanks, Brodlach, appreciate the response...

[ferret]

It was announced at the Eagles Club that Luke Thompson would most probably be available for the game against the Bloods but the Crows have ended the season for Jarrad Petrenko due to an ongoing problem.

[dogbreath]

Eags easily, West will do a Freo and rest heaps. Don't think they'll risk coming up against the Dogs the week later.

[whufc]

No team in the top 5 will be scared of playing against the current dogs side in a football park final on dry 23 degree day

[Big Phil]

No team in the top 5 will be scared of playing against the current dogs side in a football park final on dry 23 degree day

Why do you say that, whufc?

[bulldog2004]

Is Luke Thompson ready yet? Would be good to get a game in to him before finals, even if reserves. Petrenko has an assessment tomorrow I think. Doubt he'll play again for the eagles. Poole should come straight back in.

Petrenko available for finals but unavailable for this week due to soreness.

[Jim05]

No team in the top 5 will be scared of playing against the current dogs side in a football park final on dry 23 degree day

Why do you say that, whufc?

Cant speak for Hammer but Centrals are the side that would worry me the least at AAMI on a warm dry day.
I still believe they have a severe lack of pace in their squad and can see their mids getting a touch up.

[Jim05]

Is Luke Thompson ready yet? Would be good to get a game in to him before finals, even if reserves. Petrenko has an assessment tomorrow I think. Doubt he'll play again for the eagles. Poole should come straight back in.

Petrenko available for finals but unavailable for this week due to soreness.

Heard that many versions but the most common is that Patrenko will be ruled out of finals. Wouldnt be too comcerned anyway, he is far from a world beater