Hawkins goal-scoring tips & total points odds – Eagles vs. Cats Rd 3

Sunday, 8th April, 4.40 pm AEST, 2018, Optus Stadium, Watch on Fox Footy.

The new Perth cauldron of Optus Stadium will host the Eagles and the Cats in a crucial Round 3 clash.

The clubs have come into the season with different expectations, but relatively similar ladder positions after the opening two games of the season.

Not many experts in football would have predicted West Coast — widely tipped to miss finals — to be inside the eight after their opening fortnight, while the Cats have looked less-than-convincing in splitting results against the Demons and Hawks.

Missing Mitch Duncan hurt the Cats more than most expected. Getting Duncan fit again is a top priority, especially when facing a midfield that always has first use with the Eagles’ dominant ruckman, Nic Naitanui.

West Coast forward Jack Darling has played an important role during the absence of Coleman Medalist Josh Kennedy and Liam Ryan was a live-wire last week — both will need to step up again if the Eagles are to repeat their impressive Round 2 win over the Bulldogs.

With heaps of markets to punt upon, let’s take a look at the tips we have provided.

West Coast Eagles vs. Geelong Cats Round 3 – To Get 25 + Disposals tips

West Coast Eagles

Shannon Hurn @ $2.30 with Sportsbet

When the game gets close, Shannon Hurn is the player that steps up in Perth. When push comes to shove it’s Hurn that starts to catapult the Eagles to victory with his long kicking and game sense. Geelong will come out firing and make the game a real contest right from the word go. With the ball spending so much time in his area, we can see Hurn getting 25 touches across the halfback line.

Geelong Cats

Tim Kelly @ $1.45 with Sportsbet

The best player to come out of the 2017 draft so far. Kelly has joined the strongest midfield in the competition and looks at home at the elite level. After two strong outings we can see Kelly playing well once again here. As a previous WAFL gun, Kelly knows his way around Perth and some of his opponents and while he may not have played at Optus stadium before, you’ll often find a young man looking to impress family and friends in his home state.

West Coast Eagles vs. Geelong Cats Round 3 – Total points Over/Under tips

West Coast Eagles

90.5 Over/Under – Over @ $1.87 with Sportsbet

The Eagles have had one of the best forward lines in the competition for most of the decade. 2018 is no different and even without Kennedy, Eagles coach Adam Simpson has proved that he can cobble together a potent attack. We’re expecting the Eagles to top 90 points easily in a fast-paced game.

Geelong Cats

93.5 Over/Under – Over @ $1.88 with Sportsbet

The Cats topped hundred last week and scored 97 the week prior. They will keep up the trend of high-scoring matches against West Coast and Tom Hawkins is set to kick a bag against his rival backman, Jeremy McGovern.

West Coast Eagles vs. Geelong Cats Round 3 – Player Goal Scoring tips

West Coast Eagles

Liam Ryan 2 + @ $2.05 with William Hill

The human highlight reel is on fire. Coming off a breakout game last week, Ryan is poised to light up Optus Stadium and excite the crowd. Geelong has no defensive lockdown small backman that has Ryan’s speed and leap. We like the kid’s chances of slotting at least two goals.

Geelong Cats

Tom Hawkins 3 + @ $2.75 with William Hill

The solitary key position player for the Cats will have to deliver up forward if Geelong is to win away from home. Hawkins is very capable of finding the goals, he just needs the amazing midfield to provide him with enough opportunities to do so. The big man needs to fire or there will be questions asked about his worth to this side and his immediate future.

Eagles vs. Cats Match Predictions

Match Result: West Coast to win @ $2.05 with Ladbrokes
Line Betting: West Coast + 3.5 @ $1.92 with Ladbrokes

An in-form Nic Naitanui at home against a Geelong side struggling with opposition talls has inspired us to believe the game will be an upset in West Coast’s favour. The forward that the Eagles have conjured is too powerful for Geelong to handle and all the midfield needs to do is break even with the Holy Trinity of Dangerfield, Ablett and Selwood to win.