It’s going to be a tough task and a lot of things need to still happen in the final round of the season, for the West Coast to grab a spot in the top four. 

After the Eagles secured a spot in the 2020 finals last weekend, we’re taking a look at what they still need to do to break into a qualifying final position. 

It’s going to be a tough task and a lot of things need to still happen in the final round of the season, for the West Coast to grab a spot in the top four. 

With Richmond dominating Geelong at the weekend, it seemed as though the Eagles have only just been squeezed out of the top four, on points difference. But with St. Kilda, Collingwood, and the Bulldogs, now all unable to catch the Eagles in fifth place, it means at worst Adam Simpson’s side have secured themselves a home elimination final. 

And we expect there to be a lot of fireworks in the top 8 this weekend, with Melbourne and GWS also in contention for a top-eight spot. 

“I’m sure everyone is watching with excitement this year, because things can change with the top eight. We know what’s at stake this week.”

Adam Simpson.

And Simmo is right. The Eagles must win this Thursday against what could be a dangerous North Melbourne side who still have a point to prove after struggling in this year’s competition. 

Simpson said in his press conference on Wednesday, “we know what’s at stake this week” and even though the Eagles will be safe in the knowledge that they have banked a first-round home final, they’ll want to keep the pressure on Geelong and Richmond to break into a qualifying finals spot. 

“For North, it’s about opportunity. We’re going to plan for them at their best. When they play their best they really bring a strong contest.”  

Simpson.

Complacency will be the talk of the dressing room this weekend and Simpson will want his players to keep their foot on the gas after they came back last weekend to demolish the Saints scoring four goals in the final quarter. 

What needs to happen this weekend for the Eagles to get into the top four?

The Eagles will play North Melbourne at the Metricon Stadium on Thursday night in the first round of the final suite of the 2020 fixtures. 

Ultimately they need to beat the Roos to gain 4 points and finish the season on 48 points. That will swing them into the third spot above Richmond and Geelong who sit on 46 and 44 points, with a game in hand. 

Three scenarios can then happen. 

Crows vs Tigers

Richmond will then take on the Crows at the Adelaide Oval, and although unlikely, considering the Crows demise this year, the Eagles will be hoping that the crows can use their home advantage to take points from the Tigers to keep them on 46 points. 

Although that scenario is highly unlikely with the 2019 Premiers demolishing pretty much everything in sight on their route to becoming back-to-back champions. 

Swans vs Cats

The second scenario is if Geelong lose to the Swans on Sunday. Sydney have had a bit of an up and down season, taking some narrow losses to Carlton and Collingwood, taking some big scalps against Melbourne and GWS, and even coming close to toppling Richmond at the start of the year. Ultimately they have lacked consistency in form but will be looking to end the season on a high and defeat the Cats, who are currently just ahead of the Eagles on points difference. 

A Cats loss will allow the Eagles to jump into the top four, but what about if the Cats win? 

A Cats Win

Well, the Eagles will be hoping the Cats only win by a small margin and that the Swans keep the score down to a minimum. All the Eagles will have to do, is to thrash the Roos by a heavy score difference, to put them into the top four. 

Injuries Update.

Eagles fans will be pleased to hear that the team are slowly overcoming some of their injury woes with Premiership hero Dom Sheed looking like he will return to the side on Thursday after recovering from a hamstring strain. 

It also looks like frontman Brendon Ah Chee will come back into the side after injuring his finger. 

Unfortunately for the Eagles, it still looks as though it will be another while before we see Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey, Mark Hutchings, and Elliot Yeo return to the side. 

But despite his injuries list, Simpson will still be looking to field a full strength side, knowing the gravity of this win could take the Eagles up into the top four. 

“If everyone is fit they will play, if they are sore, they won’t. We won’t be resting anyone for the sake of it.”

Simpson

With everything still to play for Round 18, is certainly shaping up to be a big weekend of Footy!