West Coast officially secured its spot in this 2020 finals series with a thrilling 15-point win over St Kilda last Thursday, meaning the club will have an opportunity to vie for its fifth premiership in 34 years.
The Eagles have fifth spot sewn up – they cannot finish any lower – but they could still sneak into the top four if some results go their way.
Here’s what needs to happen for us to finish in the top four or host an elimination final.
WEST COAST WILL FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR IF…
First things first, West Coast has to beat North Melbourne on Thursday night to keep its top four dreams alive
If the Eagles take care of the Roos, they’ll need either Adelaide or Sydney to cause a round 18 upset to earn a coveted finals double chance.
If the 18th-placed Crows find a way to topple the Tigers at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, West Coast will leapfrog Richmond and pinch fourth spot.
If that doesn’t eventuate, West Coast will need the 15th-placed Swans to get the better of Geelong at Metricon Stadium to climb into the top four.
WEST COAST WILL HOST AN ELIMINATION FINAL IF…
There are three scenarios in which West Coast will host an elimination final against whichever teams finishes eighth on the ladder at the completion of round 15.
The first is the least desirable – a loss to North Melbourne. If the boys cannot muster a win against the Shinboners, that will confirm our fifth-place finish on Thursday night.
The second is if Richmond run riot against Adelaide on Saturday and the third is if Geelong finds a way to sink Sydney on Sunday.
