Eagles fans to cheer on Dockers for a day

West Coast's finals hopes could rest in the hands of their arch-rivals Fremantle, while Adelaide will be aiming to lock up top spot this weekend.

West Coast Eagles fans

The scramble for the AFL finals means West Coast fans will have to cheer on arch-rivals Fremantle. (AAP)

West Coast fans are being forced to do the unthinkable this weekend - barrack for arch-rivals Fremantle.

Fremantle's AFL game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday could play a significant role in West Coast's finals hopes.

The Eagles entered the final round in ninth spot - just 1.8 per cent adrift of the Bombers.

If the out-of-form Dockers manage to beat Essendon, then West Coast will qualify for the finals with a win over Adelaide in Perth on Sunday.

Another way for West Coast to sneak into the finals is by leapfrogging Melbourne.

The Demons' finals chances are on shaky ground after they suffered an upset 16-point loss to Collingwood on Saturday.

It means the Demons are just one win and 0.9 percentage points ahead of West Coast.

The Eagles will leapfrog Melbourne if they can beat Adelaide by something in the vicinity of 20-25 points.

Beating the ladder-leading Crows is a massive challenge in itself - let alone needing to beat them by more than 20 points.

If the Dockers beat Essendon, then even a one-point win against Adelaide would get the Eagles into the top eight.

But Eagles fans shouldn't be holding their breath given Fremantle have suffered consecutive 104-point losses over the past fortnight.

When asked whether West Coast fans would be cheering for Fremantle this weekend, Eagles coach Adam Simpson replied: "If it means it's going to be good for us, then of course.

"If Freo can get over the line, we'll take it."

Adelaide have already locked up a top-two berth, and they will win the minor premiership with victory over West Coast.

But their victory hopes were dealt a huge double blow on Friday when captain Taylor Walker (toe) and defender Daniel Talia (ankle) were ruled out.

Adelaide recalled Kyle Hartigan, Wayne Milera, and Paul Seedsman to replace Walker, Talia, and Hugh Greenwood (axed).

West Coast veteran Mark LeCras (hamstring) returns at the expense of Josh Hill.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson said his team had only themselves to blame for their predicament.

West Coast failed to capitalise on winning positions in losses to Gold Coast, Collingwood, Melbourne, GWS, Port Adelaide, and St Kilda.

If the Eagles fail to make the finals, it will mark the end for retiring midfielders Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell.

Sunday is also the final AFL match at Subiaco Oval, with all WA games to be shifted to the new 60,000-seat Perth Stadium from next year.


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Source: AAP



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