Presenting all you need to know about the Eagles ahead of Saturday night's qualifying final at Optus Stadium:
Form
The Eagles lost their opening round match against the Sydney Swans, which was their first official outing at the new Optus Stadium, but they went on a great run from there, winning their next 10 games. The winning run included an impressive 47-point victory over the reigning premier, Richmond, in which they piled on 20 goals.
Then came another form reversal, as they proceeded to lose their next three matches.
A win over Greater Western Sydney at Optus Stadium in round 16 stopped the rot, and the Eagles ended up winning six of their last eight games.
They finished their home and away campaign in second place on the ladder with a 16-6 win-loss record.
What they're saying
The following story was published on westcoasteagles.com.au on Tuesday:
West Coast Eagles goal-kicking machine Josh Kennedy says he’s fit and eager to wage war on Collingwood this Saturday night.
The dual Coleman medallist told 6PR’s breakfast program that he was ready to go after completing a big training session last Friday and doing more work alongside teammates at Optus Stadium last night.
Kennedy has not donned blue and gold since West Coast’s round 18 clash with the Western Bulldogs.
He suffered a leg injury during a training mishap in the lead up to the club's round 19 encounter with North Melbourne.
“It’s been feeling pretty good. I’ve got enough (work) into the legs,” Kennedy declared this morning.
“We’ve been trying to mimic training to get the same amount of kilometres that I would normally run in a game.
“I got through a lot of training last week and this week as well. I’m in good stead and I’m available to play, so that’s good.”
Josh Kennedy has a shot for goal against the Bulldogs in round 18 (AFL Photos)
Players to watch
The following is an excerpt from a story about Nathan Vardy, which was published by AFL Media on Wednesday:
A twist of fate when Nic Naitanui injured his knee against Collingwood in round 17 opened the door for the 27-year-old.
He has taken his chance partnering Scott Lycett in the ruck, and is now seemingly entrenched in the side with West Coast ideally placed for a premiership tilt.
While he is focused on the job at hand, Vardy's mind occasionally wanders to what might unfold this September.
"You've got to dream, don't you? There's a bit of day-dreaming going on, but the old cliché is we've got to get through the first week first," he said.
"To get top-two was what we were aiming to do and to have two home finals is great for us and the supporters.
"It's exciting times."
The talented 200cm tall has been close before, most memorably in his debut 2011 campaign, but Vardy was struck down by a debilitating groin injury on the eve of finals, and Geelong went on to clinch a third flag in five seasons without him.
He also played in the heartbreaking five-point preliminary final loss to Hawthorn two years later.
Saturday night's clash with the Pies will be Vardy's seventh final – including two last season for West Coast – a remarkable number considering it will only be the 55th game of his stop-start career.
"I've missed a lot of footy through injury, but I seem to always get back towards the end of the year and find myself sneaking in for a final, which is always good," Vardy said.
Last time: Round 17, 2018 at the MCG
Match report excerpt: West Coast has overcome the loss of star ruckman Nic Naitanui to score an outstanding 35-point win over Collingwood.
The 15.12 (102) to 9.13 (67) win on Sunday is the first time the Eagles have beaten the Magpies at the MCG since 1995.
There has been plenty of talk about West Coast's poor form at the MCG and it is a massive boost for their confidence.
They are now level on points with top side Richmond, took second spot on the ladder from the Magpies and also ended Collingwood's seven-game winning streak.
Starting with the disastrous 2015 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn, the Eagles had only won two of eight games at the MCG, and those were against lowly Carlton.
Eagles forwards Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Mark LeCras all made successful returns from injury and midfielder Andrew Gaff continued his hot form.
But the fear is that Naitanui will need another season-ending knee reconstruction, this time on his "good" right knee.
COLLINGWOOD 4.4 6.9 8.10 9.13 (67)
WEST COAST 3.0 8.1 12.8 15.12 (102)
GOALS
Collingwood: De Goey 4, Thomas 3, Mihocek 2
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Rioli 3, Darling 3, LeCras 2, Redden, Gaff, Hutchings, Yeo
BEST
Collingwood: Adams, De Goey, Pendlebury, Howe, Phillips, Moore
West Coast: McGovern, Gaff, Redden, Shuey, Hurn, Hutchings, Jetta
INJURIES
Collingwood: Mason Cox (soreness) replaced in selected side by Ben Crocker, Sidebottom (eye), Moore (dislocated finger), Sier (corked quad), Langdon (right knee)
West Coast: Naitanui (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stephens, Meredith, Mollison
Official crowd: 53,439 at the MCG
