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West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn AFL Betting Tips - Hawks to edge a tight game in Round 24

adam-cusworth
Editor
Last updated: Thu 20 Aug 2026 19:51
Hawthorn are set to secure a top-four spot with a win over West Coast Eagles in the AFL season's final round. Despite a poor travel record, the Hawks have dominated recent clashes between these teams. West Coast have shown competitiveness at home, rarely losing by big margins. Key player picks include Jack Gunston for goals and Harley Reid for disposals. The primary recommendation is to back Hawthorn for a 1-39 point win, with value bets on player performances in this crucial encounter.
Adam Cusworth 20 Aug 2026
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  • Hawthorn aim to secure a top-four spot with a win over West Coast
  • West Coast competitive at home, but Hawks are favoured by 1-39 points
  • Look for strong performances from Jack Gunston (goals) and Harley Reid (disposals)
jack gunston
Jack Gunston to steer the Hawks to victory (Getty Images)

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Verdict


Hawthorn can wrap up a top-four spot with a win against West Coast in the final game of the home and away season. A win secures them the double chance in the finals and I'm backing them to do it with a 1-39 margin.

  • The Eagles' past eight matches against interstate opposition at Optus Stadium have been decided by 30 points or less.
  • Jack Gunston has kicked 15 goals in his past five matches against the Eagles.
  • Harley Reid has had 25+ disposals in his past four matches.
  • The Hawks are hot favourites but have won just one of their last nine home and away matches against interstate opposition outside of Victoria and Tasmania.

Head to Head


Hawthorn have won the past four between the two sides by an average margin of 63 points. They were 50-point winners in the Round 7 clash at Marvel Stadium this season and won by 61 the last time the two sides played at Perth Stadium.

West Coast Eagles Form


West Coast enter the final round with a 4-18 record and have lost 10 consecutive matches after going down to GWS by 54 points last weekend. They are 3-8 at Optus Stadium this season and have lost their past six at the venue.

The results do not tell the entire story at home. Five of those six consecutive Optus Stadium defeats have come against interstate opposition and the Eagles have not lost any of them by more than 25 points, showing they have generally remained competitive in front of their home supporters.

Harley Reid, Jack Graham and Tim Kelly all recorded 25+ disposals against GWS last weekend, while Jake Waterman and Liam Baker kicked two goals each. Reid has now reached 25+ in four straight matches and Waterman has kicked 13 goals across his past five.

Hawthorn Form


Hawthorn enter Round 24 following a dramatic 92-92 draw against Collingwood, the second time the sides have finished level this season. 

The Hawks were coming off their worst loss of the year, a 67-point defeat against Brisbane, and will now need to win the final match of the home and away season to guarantee their place in the top four.

Travel has been a major weakness. Hawthorn have won just one of their past nine home and away matches against interstate opposition outside Victoria and Tasmania and only one of their past eight appearances at Perth Stadium.

Josh Ward, Mitch Lewis and Jack Gunston kicked two goals each against Collingwood. Gunston has 14 goals across his past five matches, while Jarman Impey collected 25 disposals and Jai Newcombe had 24. Newcombe has recorded 24+ in four consecutive matches and Impey has reached 25+ in four of his past five.

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Team News


Ryan Maric, Bo Allan and Jack Hutchinson have been added to the Eagles’ extended interchange. No confirmed outs are listed in the supplied teams.

Jack Dalton, Ned Reeves, Calsher Dear and Sam Butler have been added to Hawthorn’s extended squad. Jack Ginnivan is not named for Jack Gunston’s 300th game.

Verdict

Hawthorn should ultimately handle the pressure and secure the victory they need for a top-four finish, but West Coast's recent competitiveness at Optus Stadium makes a blowout less likely than the market suggests. 

Back Hawthorn by 1-39 points and West Coast +39.5, with Jack Gunston 3+ goals and Harley Reid 25+ disposals completing the selections.

Best Bet1: Hawthorn 1-39 Big Win Little Win @23/17 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: West Coast +44.5 Line @8/9 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Jack Gunston 3+ Anytime Goalscorers @4/9 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Harley Reid 25+ Player Disposals @4/7 at Ken Howells - 1 Unit
Hawthorn 1-39
Big Win Little Win
@23/17 - 1 Unit
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
West Coast +44.5
Line
@8/9 - 1 Unit
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New customers only. Bet £10+ to receive £10 in Free Bets. 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. 18+. GambleAware.org

Bet at dabble
Jack Gunston 3+
Anytime Goalscorers
@4/9 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports
Harley Reid 25+
Player Disposals
@4/7 - 1 Unit
up to £25 Cashback
50% back with code NEWBONUS

The Ken Howells promo code is NEWBONUS. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org

Bet at Ken Howells
adam-cusworth
Adam Cusworth

Sports Editor • 20+ years betting experience

One of Australia's top tipsters, Adam provides tips for horse racing every day of the week as well as AFL previews. He is one of the top ranked experts on the Great Tip Off each month and has featured on Blackbook, Punters, Racingbase and many more.

 
Based in Melbourne, Adam is an avid sporting fan that loves a day at the MCG to follow his team, Hawthorn, in the AFL and the Aussies in the cricket, while he doesn't mind a day out at Moonee Valley, Flemington and Caulfield from time to time.

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