VENUE & TIME: Subiaco, Sunday 10 May, 4.40pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 37, West Coast 23, Melbourne 14
LAST TIME: Melbourne 11.13 (79) def. West Coast 5.15 (45), Round 20 2008 at the MCG.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Eagles have almost a full squad to choose from, barring Brent Staker, who will miss six weeks with a broken thumb, and Beau Waters (elbow), who's out for the season. Luke Shuey (groin) is four weeks away from resuming and Josh Kennedy has recovered from a bleeding eye and looks likely to come in for the out-of-form Ash Hansen.
Across the Nullabor at Demonland, it's an entirely different story, Melbourne announcing on Wednesday that young ruckman John Meesen will miss the rest of the season with a foot stress fracture. Exciting young forward Austin Wonaeamirri won't play his first match this season until at least Round 13 after twisting his knee playing for the Casey Scorpions, while Brad Green (broken jaw) is up to three weeks away. Paul Wheatley (quadriceps) needs another two weeks while defender Colin Garland (foot) is indefinitely unavailable, but ruckman Mark Jamar (foot) will be tested.
FORM: Both sides come into this contest on the back of losses last week. Melbourne's was probably more excusable, considering it played Geelong and only went down by 43 points in a gutsy performance by an outclassed young side. The Dees were well in the contest at quarter-time but didn't have the firepower to punish the Cats, who were wasteful in front of goal.
You don't need to tell Eagles coach John Worsfold about wastefulness, though, after watching his side only manage 74 points from 29 scoring shots last weekend in a 13-point loss to derby rival Fremantle. West Coast was well on top during the first half but only managed 6.13 to have a 23-point lead at half-time. Having been let off the hook, Fremantle took full advantage, storming home during the second half as the Eagles' intensity waned considerably.
WHO'S HOT: The Eagles didn't have too many winners across the entire match last weekend, but Matt Priddis was easily their best. Playing his usual workhorse role, Priddis went about gathering 26 touches quietly and effectively, while also laying eight tackles, the most of any Eagle.
For Melbourne, the big positive out of the week has been forward Russell Robertson's return to the fray after rupturing his Achilles in Round 10 last year. The man with the golden voice kicked three goals to show he still has some footballing chops in an encouraging return.
WE THINK: West Coast's lowest point of season 2008 came at the hands of Melbourne in Round 20. In a game many expected the Eagles to win, they simply didn't show up and were beaten by 34 points in a match where many believed West Coast was tanking for draft picks, a contention vigorously denied by Worsfold. At the time, the Eagles were down to 27 available men on their list but they go into this encounter with an almost full squad, one which will be used this week as Worsfold looks to make changes. Several young players like Kennedy, Tim Houlihan, Jamie McNamara, Scott Selwood and draftee Tom Swift have been in great WAFL form and will be pushing for selection, while Staker's injury could see some structural changes as well. Despite playing Geelong, the Demons also let themselves down with some sloppy turnovers going forward and if they do that against the long-kicking Eagles, they could be badly exposed at Subiaco. The heat may also be a factor with forecasts of another 27-degree day, but it will be hotter in the clinches as the Eagles look to atone for the Fremantle loss by burying Melbourne under mountains of pressure. Eagles by 35 points.