<p>The West Coast Eagles are at home for round 12 action, hosting Geelong in a Sunday night clash at Optus Stadium.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Eagles, rooted at the bottom of the ladder, were unable to follow up on their breakthrough victory against a polished Crows lineup on their home ground.&nbsp;</p> <p>They were gradually worn down and ultimately overwhelmed late in the game. If the Eagles had kicked more efficiently, the result might have been a bit tighter, but that’s where this side is at the moment.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats were pushed all the way by a very good Western Bulldogs team but prevailed in the battle of Bailey Smith (wasn’t he magnificent too) in one of the games of the season. They now sit at 7-4, entrenched in the top eight, but need to keep winning to break clear of the pack of teams that share the same win/loss record and avoid losing their place in the top eight altogether.&nbsp;</p> <p>Luckily, they get a chance to continue advancing against the Eagles.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the home side, it’s another stiff challenge against one of the league's pace-setters as they continue building under Andrew McQualter.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the selection front, the Eagles faced a severe blow over the weekend with the loss of spearhead Jake Waterman for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. This likely opens the door for youngster Archer Reid to reclaim his spot on the senior team, though there is an outside chance draftee Jobe Shanahan could earn his wings after some impressive performances in the WAFL.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jack Williams booted three goals in the WAFL and could also be considered.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats will decide whether to rest any of their veterans for the trip across the country. Skipper Paddy Dangerfield will miss another week due to his hamstring injury.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ted Clohesy, a regular sub and ‘next man in’ for Chris Scott and the Cats this year, could get another full game under his belt, but spots will be hard to come by in a strong and settled AFL side.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Eagles vs Cats prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Geelong Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>West Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Tom Cole, Harry Edwards, Ryan Maric</p> <p>HB: Liam Duggan, Sandy Brock, Liam Baker</p> <p>C: Jack Graham, Harley Reid, Jayden Hunt</p> <p>HF: Elijah Hewett, Oscar Allen, Jack Hutchinson</p> <p>F: Tyler Brockman, Archer Reid, Liam Ryan</p> <p>Foll: Matt Flynn, Brady Hough, Tim Kelly</p> <p>Int: Reuben Gibney, Noah Long, Tom Gross, Bailey Williams Tyrell Dewar</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geelong Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Tom Stewart, Sam De Koning, Mark O’Connor</p> <p>HB: Lawson Humphries, Jack Henry, Zach Guthrie</p> <p>C: Mark Blicavs, Max Holmes, Ollie Dempsey</p> <p>HF: Gryan Miers, Shannon Neale, Shaun Mannagh</p> <p>F: Brad Close, Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle</p> <p>Foll: Rhys Stanley, Tom Atkins, Bailey Smith</p> <p>Int: Jed Bews, Mitch Duncan, Oisin Mullin, Ollie Henry, Ted Clohesy</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Geelong Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Geelong has dominated the recent head-to-head battles against the Eagles, winning seven out of the past 10 games, including the last five.&nbsp;</p> <p>In four of those last five games, the Cats have scored well in excess of 100 points. This spells trouble again for an already stretched Eagles backline who are without Jeremy McGovern (and might be for good pending an AFL concussion panel hearing soon).</p> <p>The Cats are the fourth-best ball movement side in the competition and are fourth-best at chaining to score in 2025.</p> <p>With the likes of Bailey Smith, Max Holmes, and Jeremy Cameron playing out of their skins at the moment, you just know it’s going to be a tough evening for the home side.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s shaping as a successful business trip for the Cats. Go in, get the points, and then leaving in one piece will be the goal, and what we think will happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-geelong-cats-9229222">Cats</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Shannon Neale is enjoying a breakout season for the Cats this year following the retirement of the great Tom Hawkins.</p> <p>With 13 goals to his name already this season, including a career-best bag of five last week, he’s well on his way to eclipsing his season best and really laying down a marker for things to come.</p> <p>In front of his home friends and family this week back in WA, we’re looking to him to score first.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-geelong-cats-9229222">Shannon Neale</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>After being plucked from obscurity on an outground in WA, Lawson Humphries has cemented himself as a vital cog in the Cats lineup.</p> <p>Interestingly, he’s only gathered more than 20 possessions in a game just five times in his 21-match career to date. With the Cats poised to rest a few for the tip, could that open the door for Humphries to go onto the ball and start finding more of it and using it magnificently? We think so.</p> <p>Betting tip: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-geelong-cats-9229222">Lawson Humphries 25+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Geelong Cats Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, June 1st</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:20 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Optus Stadium, Perth</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>