Eagles coach John Worsfold has strongly declared that draft choices won't be any consideration when his side takes on Melbourne in Saturday's wooden spoon-defining match.
West Coast has only four wins to its name this season but risks losing a priority draft selection, given to clubs who record just four victories in a year, if they win or draw any of their last three matches against Melbourne, Hawthorn or Geelong.
But Worsfold believes the long-term interests of the club are better served by winning as many games as possible this season, giving his young team a much-needed boost of confidence going into 2009, even if it means conceding a draft pick.
"We're not in the business of worrying about extra picks for we'll take what we get," Worsfold said on Wednesday.
"And, whether that's pick three or four or five or pick 18, it hasn't worried us in the past and it certainly won't be a focus for us in the future."
"Draft picks have never been a concern (and) it's certainly not in my nature to look at where we're going to finish and how that's going to affect the long term-development of this footy club."
"The squad we've got sitting on the sidelines this week is well and truly going to cover any draft pick we get this year (and) wherever we finish, I'm very confident I can develop this club to be back up and be a powerful club within a short period of time."
"One draft pick in one season is not going to make any difference to that," he said.
The Demons' chances of winning their third match of a dismal season, though, have been boosted by two big injuries to the Eagles as Worsfold said experienced forwards Ashley Hansen and David Wirrpanda would probably miss this match.
Hansen rolled his ankle in the club's 10-point victory over Essendon last Sunday and did not take part in Monday's recovery session, while Wirrpanda suffered a severely bruised buttock during that game.
The pair join a huge list of Eagles sitting on the sidelines after several senior players, including Daniel Kerr, Brent Staker, Beau Waters and Adam Hunter, had season ending surgery, leaving Worsfold with just 27 fit players to choose from for Saturday's game.
However, up-and-coming midfielder Brett Ebert looks set to return to the team after a week off with a groin injury, while untried youngsters Tony Notte or James Thomson will also be considered to make their debuts this week.