Our first test on this winning run, on how we now handle raised expectations. The players will have had two weeks of backslapping from supporters who have hopped back on the bandwagon, glowing media reports even from usually Tiger baggers, and bookies having us as favourites playing at home in front of the Tiger Army. The Eagles are playing well this year and aren't in the top 4 for nothing. We will need to turn up with the same attitude and ferocity for the contest as they did against Freo. It's just not going to happen for us.
Who have the Eagles beaten though ?
Wins over Geelong, Port (away like us) and GWS were their best. The rest of their wins have been against bottom 6 sides (Carl, Suns, Saints and Lions).
They did get flogged by Freo in the Western derby (unlike us) while they lost to both North in Tassie and the Dogs (like us). The North game they should had won but they kicked poorly for goal in the gale down there.
http://afltables.com/afl/teams/westcoast/allgames.htmlAt our best, as we've shown in the past 4 wins, we can win this. We also match up well against the Eagles. However, we have dropped games like this many times in the past because everyone was expecting the win to just happen, especially playing at home, and the team turns up mentally not switched on. The Eagles also now have Jack Darling back in their forward line alongside Kennedy and Le Cras. They are no push overs this year. We will need to fight just as hard for this win as the past four.