BREAKING: Power outage expected in Adelaide on Saturday night!
Wowee – we have made it to September! Who else has come down with a serious case of #AFLFinals fever? The West Coast Eagles pulled off an incredible feat in the final round of the home and away season, beating top-of-the-table Adelaide Crows by 29 points. In doing so, they bumped Melbourne out of finals contention and propelled themselves up into the top eight! Jamie Cripps finished with three goals for West Coast, while Mark Hutchings and Mark LeCras managed two goals each. Sam Mitchell tallied 34 disposals and Andrew Gaff impressed with 32 disposals and goal.
West Coast went into round 23 as the underdogs however, absolutely everything worked in their favour on the day. Certain outcomes of the other games were also vital in allowing WCE to finish inside the eight, purely on percentage. It was touch and go there for a while! They head to Adelaide this week to take on Port Power on Saturday at Adelaide Oval, in the first elimination final.
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson has made NO changes to the line-up this week ahead of their clash with the Power, putting his faith in the side that performed so well two weeks ago. It was interesting, and probably a little scary for opposition teams coming into finals, that West Coast beat the Crows without the 2017 All Australian forward (and Vice Captain) Josh Kennedy having much of an impact on the game. He finished with just one goal, four behinds and 12 disposals. The other forwards, such as milestone man (150th) Jack Darling will need to support Kennedy in the forward line this week and allow him to remain in a one-on-one contest as much as possible.
Port Adelaide have only made one change to their team this week with Jarman Impey coming into the squad for an omitted Aidyn Johnson. 2017 All Australian duo Paddy Ryder and Robbie Gray will be the biggest threats for the Eagles. Ryder has been incredible in the ruck for Port this season, and can also take a strong contested mark. Gray can be damaging playing deep in the forward line, or winning the ball through the midfield.
Adelaide Oval is almost a home away from home for the West Coast Eagles, who have won five of their last six games played at the venue. Despite that record, the Eagles will again come into this game as the underdogs and will have to give it everything they have got to get over the line. I’m backing them in to get the job done! #TheWestIsUnited
I’m tipping the West Coast Eagles to beat Port Adelaide by 18 points, and continue on with their 2017 finals campaign!
Let us know your #AFLPortEagles predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaPaynes
