Round 8 Preview: Eagles Must Bounce Back Against Undefined Saints

This is a big game for the club, in the context of this season and what we want and can achieve. It's our first  game after a loss for the season. We need to end the semi-disturbing trend of underwhelming performances which began with the narrow wins over the Tiges and the Roos and ended with the thumping by the Dons. We also must win to maintain our dominance at Subiaco and the psychological edge which comes with such dominance. Amazingly, lose this game and there's every chance we could drop outside the top 4.

It won't be easy. I'm not exactly sure what to think of the Saints. In a larger sense I know exactly what I think of them; I hold them in abject contempt for all their off-field shenanigans. Lest we forget I say.

But in terms of football and 2012, prior to Monday I thought they were at best in the 9th to 6th range on the ladder. But then, to my great joy, they eased past Juddas and his hapless cronies. I'm not sure this makes them top 4 contenders, but they will be keen to show Monday was no fluke.
The saints may even be more confident given their recent success against us, winning the last 4 including two at our house.

Consequently, we need a much improved effort over the schmozzle we displayed last Saturday night. I want to see far more intensity than the zombie-like pace we provided against Essendon. Our midfield, so badly beaten last week, will have no respite this week as we face quite a distinguished bunch. Dal Santo, Hayes, Goddard and Montagna are some of the best in the comp. We need to step up or this season could quickly disintegrate before our eyes.

But never fear (well not too much), help is here. Naitanui, Adam Selwood and Will Schofield all return. These are big inclusions. NicNat is the X factor our team needs. He does so much, not only in the ruck contests, but in clearances in general and his tackling pressure is unrivalled. Plus, he's just a pure joy to watch. I think we also lacked Selwood's experience and tagging ability last week. As for Schofield, he's hugely underrated; good in marking contests, quick enough and generally solid. In other good news, Priddis has been included in the team despite suffering a concussion last week. Unsurprisingly, Neates, The Big Lychee and Brown have all been omitted.

West Coast Eagles
B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Beau Waters, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Chris Masten, Quinten Lynch, Luke Shuey
F: Dean Cox, Jack Darling, Josh Hill
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Adam Selwood, Patrick McGinnity, Brad Sheppard, Jacob Brennan
Emg: Thomas Swift, Lewis Stevenson, Koby Stevens
In: Adam Selwood, Will Schofield, Nic Naitanui
Out: Mitch Brown, Ryan Neates, Scott Lycett

St Kilda
B: Jason Gram, Sam Gilbert, Jason Blake
HB: Tom Simpkin, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary
C: Ahmed Saad, Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard
HF: Jack Steven, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna
F: Stephen Milne, Rhys Stanley, Terry Milera
Foll: Justin Koschitzke, Nick Dal Santo, Clinton Jones
I/C: David Armitage, Farren Ray, Jamie Cripps, Beau Wilkes
Emg: James Gwilt, Arryn Siposs, Jack Newnes
In: Jamie Cripps
Out: Arryn Siposs

In other news, it's the Indigenous Round and Hill and Wirrpanda (much love) caught up and said some interesting things. Seriously though, the Eagles have been privileged to have some of the best indigenous players to every grace this game. Peter Matera, Chris Lewis and Little Matera top the list. Let's hope the Hill can continue to impress on his debut season for the club.

More than that though, I hope we win because losing last week was just a very demoralising experience. I had forgotten what is was like. You know who never forgets though? Dockers fans.

This might not be a 'must win' in any sense of the term, but it's definitely a game that could help determine where we finish at the end of the season.

GO EAGLES!!!