West Coast Eagles vs GWS Giants Prediction - Round 17 2025

The West Coast Eagles get a rare run under the Friday night lights when they return home to host the GWS Giants. 

Yes, the AFL has cheekily sneaked in another Friday double-header to give the Eagles a rare Friday night game. But hey, if it’s a cold, rainy night on the East Coast (as it usually is this time of year), what's a better way to spend a Friday night than curled up on the couch in front of the footy all night? 

The Eagles, despite losing to Collingwood, gave a really good account of themselves. Yes, the Pies were nowhere near their best and still too good for them, winning comfortably by five goals in the end, but Andrew McQualter would have loved what he saw from his young Eagles. 

To do it without the likes of their skipper, Oscar Allen, Elliot Yeo, Jake Waterman, and add the medical retirement of Jeremy McGovern to the list of high-profile outs says a bit about the direction this group is heading. It was a promising performance from the young side. 

Their most recent two debutants, Tom McCarthy and Jobe Shanahan, look like players who will play lots of footy for the Eagles moving forward. 

The Giants are coming off their bye, and for them, they simply need to keep winning. They’re equal on nine wins with the Dogs and the Suns but sit just outside the top eight on percentage. That’s despite their impressive back-to-back wins against the Lions and the Suns before the bye. With the lowest percentage of those teams, a big win here is a must to give them some extra wriggle room on the run home.

On a selection front, the Giants will make the trip to Perth without running machine Lachie Whitfield. The defender has been ruled out again with concussion. Big man Kieren Briggs will be a test for selection and given every chance, while spearhead Jesse Hogan could be rested for the clash out west through soreness. 

For the home side, after emerging from the trip to Melbourne with a clean bill of health, the Eagles could welcome small forward Matt Owies back after an injury layoff. Premiership defender Tom Cole could also return. 

For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Eagles vs Giants prediction and preview below. 

 

West Coast vs GWS Giants Predicted Teams

 

West Coast Predicted Team List

B: Ryan Maric, Harry Edwards, Liam Duggan

HB: Liam Baker, Sandy Brock, Reuben Ginbey 

C: Jack Hutchinson, Brady Hough, Clay Hall

HF: Jamie Cripps, Jobe Shanahan, Jack Graham

F: Elijah Hewett, Jack Williams, Liam Ryan

Foll: Matt Flynn, Tim Kelly, Harley Reid

Int: Tyler Brockman, Matt Owies, Bo Allan, Tom McCarthy, Jayden Hunt

 

GWS Giants Predicted Team List

B: Connor Idun, Leek Aleer, Joe Fonti

HB: Lachie Ash, Jack Buckley, Harry Himmelberg 

C: Josh Kelly, Toby Bedford, Jacob Wehr

HF: Xavier O’Halloran, Aaron Cadman, Darcy Jones

F: Harvey Thomas, Jake Riccardi, Toby Greene

Foll: Kieran Briggs, Finn Callaghan, Tom Green

Int: Nick Madden, Harry Rowston, Callum Brown, Jake Stringer, Toby McMullin

 

West Coast vs GWS Giants Prediction & Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

The Giants hold sway (like most teams against the Eagles) in the recent head-to-head, winning four of the past five matches. Last time these sides met back in Round four this year, the Giants dished out an 81-point hiding to the hapless Eagles. 

While they have certainly turned a corner since that day, there’s still quite a gap in class between both of these sides.

The Eagles, while still ranking dead last for both attack and defence across the season, have improved slightly from 18th up to 14th for overall profile over the past five weeks.

Fresh off his best game for the season and possibly his career, Eagles key defender Harry Edwards will be waiting with bated breath to see whether or not Jess Hogan boards the flight out to Perth. That might be the Eagles' best chance of restricting the Giants and their front-half potency.

Even if he does miss, the Giants should still be too good for the Eagles here. 

Betting tip: Giants

 

First Goal Prediction

With Hogan tipped to miss, it gives Aaron Cadman the chance to be the man.

He was in a rich vein of form before the bye with a bag of five against the Lions and then three against the Suns. We’re tipping him to thrive in the position of being ‘the guy’ this week and setting the tone with the opener. 

Betting tip: Aaron Cadman 

 

Most Disposals Prediction

When the Giants' midfield group gets to work, all in sync, it’s a thing of beauty.

Tom Green has emerged as the leader of the on-ball brigade over recent years and is hunting his first All-Australian jacket, but sheer weight of numbers and quality possessions. 

He dominated last time he played the Eagles with 37 touches, we think he’s going to go big here again. 

Betting tip: Tom Green 35+ disposals 

 

West Coast Eagles vs GWS Giants Match Details

 

Date: Friday, July 4, 2025

First Bounce: 8:20 PM AEST

Location: Optus Stadium, Perth

How to watch: Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports