Hawthorn sit in fourth place as they head west to take on the 16th placed West Coast Eagles in the final match of the final round of regular programming.

The Hawks played out a 92-92 draw with Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday, becoming the first two sides in AFL history to draw twice in the same season.

It would be wild to see these two do battle again come finals time.

The Hawkies are pretty much set for a top-four finish but will need this one to go their way to guarantee a second-chance come finals time.

Meanwhile, the Eagles will be fighting to finish their season on a high after suffering another brutal defeat, this time 111-57 against a less than impressive GWS outfit.

Recent history offers the hosts very little. The Hawks have won each of their last four matches against West Coast, most recently 124-74 at Marvel Stadium in Round 7 last year.

All signs point to Hawthorn winning well and the off-season couldn’t come soon enough for these young West Coast Eagles.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Hawks Round 24 prediction and preview below.

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Predictions and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

The Eagles look a tired squad.

Guys like Jobe Shanahan, Harley Reid and especially Willem Duursma look out on their feet. Something you can understand given the load these young men have had to carry in an emerging team.

Now, these Hawks.

Our question is this: how many times do you play in games you "should have won" before you realise you're not as good as you thought you were?

The Pies on the weekend, where a draw was salvaged rather than a win banked. Brisbane the week prior, who hammered them when Hawthorn went in chock-full of belief. The Dees in Tassie. The Dogs at the 'G in Round 13 and the Dees earlier in Round 10.

All losses and a draw, in games where the market and pundits expected the Hawks to do the job.

James Sicily, Josh Weddle, Karl Amon, Tom Barrass, Lloyd Meek, Harry Morrison, Will Day and a few others are all out of form and all need to recapture something like their best, otherwise a sombre September awaits.

Here is the thing though. That is a September problem and this is a Round 24 assignment against a team running on fumes.

The gap in class is real, and we expect Hawthorn to take it out on the hosts.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 41 points.

First Goal Scorer Prediction

Nick the Wizard Watson gets the nod here.

He is named at full forward alongside Jack Gunston and Mitch Lewis, which means Hawthorn have plenty of tall targets to occupy a West Coast defence that leaked 111 points last week.

That is exactly the sort of setup Watson feeds off, working at ground level while the big bodies pull defenders away from the goal square.

With the Hawks needing a fast start to build the percentage they want, we like Watson to nab one early away from home.

Betting tip: Nick Watson first goal scorer.

Most Disposals Prediction

Jai Newcombe is named in the Hawthorn ruck-midfield rotation and in many ways represents the barometer of this side.

He is a rabid competitor who is constantly at the opposition. We’re expecting the Hawks to get the ascendancy in this one, with many opportunities for Newcombe to inject himself into distribution.

Betting tip: Jai Newcombe most disposals.

AFL Same Game Multi Tips

Betting tip: Mabior Chol 3+ goals, Hawthorn 40+, Karl Amon 24+ disposals, Willem Duursma anytime goal scorer.

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Hawks Team Lists

West Coast Eagles Team List

FB: Brandon Starcevich, Rhett Bazzo, Brady Hough

HB: Liam Baker, Tylar Young, Marcus Herbert

C: Jack Graham, Tim Kelly, Liam Duggan

HF: Tom Gross, Jobe Shanahan, Willem Duursma

FF: Milan Murdock, Jake Waterman, Cooper Duff-Tytler

FOLL: Bailey J. Williams, Harley Reid, Elliot Yeo

I/C: Josh Lindsay, Tom McCarthy, Ryan Maric, Bo Allan, Tom Cole, Jack Williams, Hamish Davis, Jack Hutchinson

Hawthorn Hawks Team List

FB: Blake Hardwick, Tom Barrass, James Sicily

HB: Josh Battle, Josh Weddle, Jarman Impey

C: Massimo D'Ambrosio, Will Day, Bailey Macdonald

HF: Max Beattie, Mabior Chol, Dylan Moore

FF: Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, Nick Watson

FOLL: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, Cam Mackenzie

I/C: Harry Morrison, Karl Amon, Josh Ward, Connor Macdonald, Jack Dalton, Ned Reeves, Calsher Dear, Sam Butler

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Details

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026.

First Bounce: 7:20pm AEST (5:20pm AWST)

Location: Optus Stadium, Perth

How to Watch: Fox Footy/Kayo Sports

Odds are subject to change.*