<p>The final game of the rounds sees Hawthorn play host to West Coast in a battle of the birds under the roof at Marvel Stadium.</p> <p>Coming off back-to-back defeats at the hands of the Power and Cats, the Eagles present a perfect opportunity to steady the ship and get back on the winners list.</p> <p>The Eagles got so close to finally securing the breakthrough win against the Bombers last week. They shot out to a big lead, saw it get run down and go behind before they very nearly stole it back at the last minute. But it wasn’t to be, and the wait for Andrew McQualter’s first win as a full-time senior coach goes on.</p> <p>It will be the first time since Premiership defender Tom Barass meets his former side. It will also be a decent chance for the Hawthorn faithful to roll up the welcome wagon to Oscar Allen after his catch up with Sam Mitchell was far from under the radar.</p> <p>And then of course there is Harley Reid. Another Eagle who we’re sure the Hawks have a keen interest in. He might receive a happy reception too whenever he gets his hands on the footy.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Hawks vs Eagles predictions and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs West Coast Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Blake Hardwick, Tom Barass, Jarman Impey</p> <p>HB: James Sicily, Josh Battle, Josh Weddle</p> <p>C: Massimo D’Ambrosio, Josh Ward, Karl Amon</p> <p>HF: Dylan Moore, Jack Gunston, Harry Morrison</p> <p>F: Nick Watson, Mabior Chol, Connor Macdonald</p> <p>Foll: Lloyd Meek, James Worpel, Jai Newcombe</p> <p>Int: Jack Scrimshaw, Luke Breust, Changkuoth Jiath, Henry Hustwaite, Jack Ginnivan</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>West Coast Predicted Team</h3> <p>B: Brady Hough, Jeremy McGovern, Reuben Ginbey</p> <p>HB: Liam Duggan, Harry Edwards, Liam Baker</p> <p>C: Jack Hutchinson, Jack Graham, Tyrell Dewar</p> <p>HF: Liam Ryan, Jake Waterman, Jamie Cripps</p> <p>F: Ryan Maric, Oscar Allen, Archer Reid</p> <p>Foll: Matt Flynn, Tim Kelly, Harley Reid</p> <p>Int: Elijah Hewett, Matt Owies, Jack Williams, Jayden Hunt, Tom Gross</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs West Coast &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>This one has blowout written all over it unfortunately. The big question is how long can the Eagles stay in the contest and make it interesting for.</p> <p>Despite a flying 4-0 start, the Hawks have some chinks in their game that they need to sort out.</p> <p>Normally a prolific efficient kicking team, the Hawks turned the ball over too many times in key moments against the Cats.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks have been victims of slow starts for two weeks in a row now. It’s an area that plagued them last year before they went on their magical run and will be keen to arrest that.&nbsp;</p> <p>They get a perfect opportunity here against an Eagles team who are in a different stage of development to the Hawks.</p> <p>The Eagles needed a good performance last Friday and despite not winning, they showed positive signs that they are progressing. Albeit slowly.&nbsp;</p> <p>They won the contested ball against the Bombers. It might be harder against the likes of Newcombe, Worpel and Moore who will push up to get his hands on the ball after only nine touches last week. But it should be an area of the ground they can look to get on top of the Hawks. As we have seen, they are a different team without Will Day.&nbsp;</p> <p>It was nice not coming out of an Eagles game feeling mightily concerned for them. In a sense, this week against the Hawks is a free shot, because nobody is expecting them to fly across the country and upset the suddenly wobbling contenders?</p> <p>But could they at least keep it close for more than just a half and put a real scare into their old mate Sam Mitchell? That would keep neutrals tuning in till the end.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-west-coast-eagles-9125353">Hawthorn</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Fresh off four goals in the VFL last week after being dropped, I’m expecting Jack Ginnivan to come straight back into the Hawks line up.</p> <p>He’ll have a point to prove after losing his spot. A good start to make sure he is not the expendable one in the future is what we are backing.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-west-coast-eagles-9125353"> Jack Ginnivan</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Hawks midfield ace Jai Newcombe has never lost to West Coast and averages 28.3 disposals per game against them.</p> <p>Only once this year has he failed to reach less than 20 disposals, but he’s only topped 30 once.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-west-coast-eagles-9125353">Jai Newcombe (25+ disposals)</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs West Coast Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Sunday, April 27th, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>4:45pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>