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West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn AFL Round 24 Tips - Hawks To Survive Perth Scare

adam-cusworth
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Last updated: Tue 18 Aug 2026 08:27

The final round of the 2026 AFL season features a crucial clash between West Coast Eagles and Hawthorn. With Hawthorn needing a win to secure a top-four spot, the pressure is on, but West Coast's competitive home form suggests a close contest. Hawthorn are expected to claim a narrow victory (1-39 points), with standout performances tipped from Jack Gunston (3+ goals) and Harley Reid (25+ disposals). Backing West Coast +39.5 in the margin market is also recommended due to their recent resilient performances at Optus Stadium.

Adam Cusworth 3 hours ago
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  • The game will be played at Optus Stadium on Sunday, 23rd August, with the bounce at 7:20pm (AEST)
  • Can the Eagles cause a boilover in Perth?
  • Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet
Hawthorn

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn, Round 24 2026 - Expert Prediction


There will be some nervous moments for Hawthorn fans but the Hawks will eventually sew up a top-four spot with a win against West Coast in the final game of the home and away season.

The equation could not be simpler for Hawthorn — win and the double chance is theirs. A loss could see them tumble as low as seventh and into the wildcard zone, while West Coast cannot move from 16th and will be playing for pride in front of their home supporters. With this the final match of the home and away season and the pressure squarely on the Hawks, there is potential for some late-round drama.

Hawthorn deserve to be strong favourites, but a blowout is far from guaranteed. West Coast have lost 10 consecutive matches and six straight at Optus Stadium, yet five of those six home defeats have come against interstate opposition and their biggest losing margin in that period is only 25 points. The Eagles' past eight matches against interstate opposition at the venue have all been decided by 30 points or less, making the +39.5 start very appealing.

There is also an unusual travel concern for Hawthorn. They have won just one of their past nine home and away matches against interstate opposition outside Victoria and Tasmania and only one of their past eight at Perth Stadium. The Hawks should ultimately have enough quality and motivation to prevail, but the 1-39 winning margin fits both sides' recent trends and gives West Coast plenty of room to make this uncomfortable.

Jack Gunston can be the difference inside 50. He has kicked 15 goals across his past five matches against West Coast and comes off two goals against Collingwood. Harley Reid shapes as the standout Eagles player prop after recording 25+ disposals in four consecutive matches. With West Coast having nothing to lose and Reid likely to spend plenty of time around the contest, another 25+ performance looks attainable.

  • The Eagles' past eight matches against interstate opposition at Optus Stadium have been decided by 30 points or less.
  • Jack Gunston has kicked 15 goals in his past five matches against the Eagles.
  • Harley Reid has had 25+ disposals in his past four matches.
  • The Hawks are hot favourites but have won just one of their last nine home and away matches against interstate opposition outside of Victoria and Tasmania.

Head to Head Stats


Hawthorn have won the past four between the two sides by an average margin of 63 points. They were 50-point winners in the Round 7 clash at Marvel Stadium this season and won by 61 the last time the two sides played at Perth Stadium.

Standout player performances in the recent head to heads have come from;

  • Will Day (Hawks)- 26 disposals in his most recent match against the Eagles.
  • Jack Gunston (Hawks)- 15 goals in his past five matches against West Coast.
  • Mabior Chol (Hawks)- 14 goals in his past five matches against West Coast.
  • Mitch Lewis (Hawks)- six goals in his most recent match against the Eagles.

West Coast Eagles Form Analysis


West Coast enter the final round with a 4-18 record and have lost 10 consecutive matches after going down to GWS by 54 points last weekend. They are 3-8 at Optus Stadium this season and have lost their past six at the venue.

The results do not tell the entire story at home. Five of those six consecutive Optus Stadium defeats have come against interstate opposition and the Eagles have not lost any of them by more than 25 points, showing they have generally remained competitive in front of their home supporters.

Harley Reid, Jack Graham and Tim Kelly all recorded 25+ disposals against GWS last weekend, while Jake Waterman and Liam Baker kicked two goals each. Reid has now reached 25+ in four straight matches and Waterman has kicked 13 goals across his past five.

Hawthorn Form Analysis


Hawthorn enter Round 24 following a dramatic 92-92 draw against Collingwood, the second time the sides have finished level this season. The Hawks were coming off their worst loss of the year, a 67-point defeat against Brisbane, and will now need to win the final match of the home and away season to guarantee their place in the top four.

Travel has been a major weakness. Hawthorn have won just one of their past nine home and away matches against interstate opposition outside Victoria and Tasmania and only one of their past eight appearances at Perth Stadium.

Josh Ward, Mitch Lewis and Jack Gunston kicked two goals each against Collingwood. Gunston has 14 goals across his past five matches, while Jarman Impey collected 25 disposals and Jai Newcombe had 24. Newcombe has recorded 24+ in four consecutive matches and Impey has reached 25+ in four of his past five.

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Team List & News


  • To be updated after team selection on Thursday

West Coast Eagles Team News


The supplied Round 23 material does not flag a new match-day injury for West Coast coming out of the defeat to GWS. Harley Reid has continued to play through a demanding latter part of the season and remains central to the Eagles' midfield.

Hawthorn Team News


Hawthorn have a healthy list with just four players on the sidelines. Moah Mraz is unklikely to be available. Bodie Ryan and Ned Reeves had strong matches in the Hawks VFL side and will be considered. 

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn AFL 2026 Round 24 FAQ’s

  • How to watch West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn AFL 2026 Round 24?

    You can watch the West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn AFL 2026 Round 24 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

  • How to buy tickets to West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn AFL 2026 Round 24?

    To buy tickets to the West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn AFL 2026 Round 24 game check the AFL website or the official West Coast Eagles site.

Verdict

Hawthorn should ultimately handle the pressure and secure the victory they need for a top-four finish, but West Coast's recent competitiveness at Optus Stadium makes a blowout less likely than the market suggests. Back Hawthorn by 1-39 points and West Coast +39.5, with Jack Gunston 3+ goals and Harley Reid 25+ disposals completing the selections.
Best Bet1: Hawthorn 1-39 Big Win Little Win $2.35 at Betraven (bets500) - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: West Coast +44.5 Line $1.89 at Betraven (bets500) - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Harley Reid 25+ Player Disposals $1.57 at picklebet (BETS) FT + network - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Jack Gunston 3+ Anytime Goalscorers $1.44 at picklebet (BETS) FT + network - 1 Unit
Hawthorn 1-39
Big Win Little Win
$2.35 - 1 Unit

Bet at Betraven (bets500)
West Coast +44.5
Line
$1.89 - 1 Unit

Bet at Betraven (bets500)
Harley Reid 25+
Player Disposals
$1.57 - 1 Unit

Bet at picklebet (BETS) FT + network
Jack Gunston 3+
Anytime Goalscorers
$1.44 - 1 Unit

Bet at picklebet (BETS) FT + network

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