There’s plenty on the line for both the GIANTS and West Coast in this weekend’s clash, so we go behind enemy lines for all the latest from inside the Eagles’ nest.
The Eagles got back on the winners’ list with a win over Carlton last weekend and sitting in eighth-spot on the AFL ladder, the team from the west has plenty to play for in their remaining two games.
Eagle Luke Shuey said trying to predict what might happen if the season came down to a crunch clash with the Crows in round 23 would only hinder the side's preparation for its bout with the GIANTS.
“We face arguably the best two teams in the competition to finish off the home and away season. There’s lots on the line,” the Eagles’ co-captain said.
“I guess we can talk about things that we want to work on over the next two weeks, but in terms of focusing solely on opposition, we won’t look at Adelaide until next week. It will be all GWS this week. We’ve got to get everything right this week and come out ready to play.
“We need to get on top at the clearances (on Saturday). (The GIANTS) do play an exciting brand of footy and they are really good to watch, but hopefully for our sakes it’s not on full display this week.”
Power forward Josh Kennedy told 6PR’s Breakfast program that his side had the belief they could defeat the GIANTS in an up-and-down season where they’ve recorded 11 wins and nine losses.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we might have to rely on other teams at the moment, which is not what you want,” he said.
“But winning both is definitely something that will help us push into finals.
“We know where we are at and know it’s going to be a massive challenge and it starts this week against GWS. We have the belief as a unit that we can go over there and beat them.”
On the injury front, veteran small forward Mark LeCras was withdrawn from last weekend’s clash with Carlton due to a hamstring concern, with the club set to monitor the 30-year-old’s fitness over the coming weeks.
LeCras is listed as a test on the Eagles’ official injury update along with defender Tom Barrass (groin).
In the WAFL, Chris Masten was influential and distributed the ball effectively on 36 occasions, developing centreman Jordan Snadden amassed 23 disposals, 10 contested possessions and five clearances while playing a run-with role and Tom Lamb got plenty of the football (27 disposals) patrolling the wing.
With exciting forward Willie Rioli making his return from injury via East Perth last weekend, calls came for the Eagles to give the 2016 draftee his first game following two serious hamstring injuries.
He booted four goals from 12 touches on limited minutes but told The West Australian the risk might be too great to push for senior selection this year.
“I’m happy just playing in the WAFL at the moment, but you know, we’ve still got a chance in the AFL as well to make finals.
“It’s up to the coaches really. I just want to play good, consistent footy. If it’s in the WAFL that’s fine, if it’s in the AFL, even better.”
Be there for the GIANTS’ final home game of the regular season as we get set to take on the West Coast Eagles in our Members Appreciation Round at 4.35pm on Saturday. Click here for tickets.
