Where and when: GMHBA Stadium, Saturday, August 20, 4.35pm (2.35pm AWST)

TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.

Last time we met: West Coast 9.9 (63) def. by Geelong 12.9 (81) at Optus Stadium, round 14, 2022

The Eagles turned a corner coming off the mid-season bye with a much-improved performance against the Cats in the week the club celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the groundbreaking 1992 premiership triumph over Geelong. Tim Kelly was a late withdrawal due to illness while Jeremy McGovern suffered a season-ending rib injury. Elliot Yeo (22 disposals and 11 rebound 50s) starred across half-back, while Andrew Gaff and Jack Redden were the prime movers in midfield. 

What it means for the Eagles: The season finale might not mean a lot in the grand scheme but for West Coast it’s another opportunity to test its growing brand and identity against the minor premiers. A strong performance would be an encouraging boost to take into the off-season. Ideally, there’s also the wooden spoon to avoid, which should be achievable barring a huge loss or North Melbourne defeating Gold Coast.

The stat: The Eagles are aiming to break a seven-game losing streak against Geelong at the Cattery.

The match-up: Tim Kelly v Patrick Dangerfield

Kelly returns from suspension to face his former side and will be gearing up for a big performance to finish off a strong campaign (averaging 24 disposals and 5.8 clearances), while Brownlow medallist Dangerfield will be hoping to celebrate his 300^th match in style at GMHBA Stadium. Both teams are missing their first choice ruckmen, with Nic Naitanui (knee) absent and Rhys Stanley (adductor) missing for Geelong, so the ground-level midfield battle will be pivotal.

It’s a big week for: Jamie Cripps

The selfless half-forward tends to let his footy do the talking as he flies under the radar but for the occasion of his 200^th game for West Coast he’s received due recognition internally for a fine achievement. Eighth all-time on the Eagles’ goalkicking list, Cripps’ trade from St Kilda has proven a major success and as a much-loved player his teammates will want to put in a strong performance during his milestone match.

Big call: All-Australian candidate Tom Barrass to hold Geelong power forward Tom Hawkins, an outside Coleman Medal chance seven majors off the pace, goalless at the Cattery.

The West Coast Eagles will close the book on a rough 2022 campaign after suffering a hefty 85-point loss to minor premier Geelong in the round 23 season-finale at the Cattery.

Faced with a huge challenge to end the season, the understrength Eagles were soundly beaten by the red-hot premiership favourite in the 19.17 (131) to 7.4 (46) defeat.

After an arm-wrestle early, the Cats dominated the key facets of the game, asserting their authority in contested possessions (+26), clearances (+11) and most tellingly inside 50s (+35).

Playing his 200th game for the club, small forward Jamie Cripps led all comers for the Eagles with three dead-eye set shot goals and could hold his head high.

Veteran defender Shannon Hurn (32 disposals) rounded out a fine season in the face of a wave of inside 50s, while Liam Duggan impressed again in support and Tom Barrass battled hard against Cats powerhouse Tom Hawkins (four goals).

Returning to face his former side, Eagles star Tim Kelly pulled his weight in midfield and was the standout performer with 28 disposals and a goal, while Luke Shuey (20) never stopped trying. 

In his 300th game, Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield was a constant threat with 22 touches, but you could throw a blanket over Geelong's even midfield contributors.

Small forward Tyson Stengle kicked four goals for the Cats as they notched their 18th win for the season.

West Coast finished the season with a 2-20 win-loss record - the worst in the club's proud history - after a year that went off the rails early due to a large number of significant injuries to key players and COVID's impact on the squad.

The Eagles finished the year in 17th spot, just ahead of wooden spoon 'winner' North Melbourne, on percentage.

GEELONG              6.4          12.7        15.12     19.17 (131)
WEST COAST         3.2           4.4          6.4          7.4 (46)

GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 4, Stengle 4, Guthrie 2, Rohan 2, Selwood 2, Close, Henry, Miers, Smith, Tuohy
West Coast: Cripps 3, Darling 2, Kelly, Ryan

BEST
Geelong: Smith, Ceglar, Dangerfield, Blicavs, Stengle, Stewart
West Coast: Kelly, Hurn, Duggan, Shuey, Cripps, Jones

INJURIES
Geelong: Kolodjashnij (concussion), Cam Guthrie (shoulder)
West Coast: Rioli (abdominal)

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Sam Menegola (managed), replaced in selected side by Jonathon Ceglar
West Coast: Nil

MEDICAL SUBS
Geelong: Tom Atkins (replaced Jake Kolodjashnij)
West Coast: Greg Clark (replaced Junior Rioli)