As the GIANTS get set to host the West Coast Eagles at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon, we’ve been keeping a close eye on all the news coming from the west this week.
The return of star ruckman Nic Naitanui has sparked hope West Coast can push for a spot in the top four.
The Eagles face a tough challenge though, taking on Hawthorn and Adelaide after their clash with the GIANTS.
Naitanui was solid against Fremantle last weekend, but he’ll come up against in-form GIANTS ruckman Shane Mumford.
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson said on Thursday the outcome of the game will be heavily influenced by the ruck duel.
“It’s becoming a really fierce battle every week in the ruck,” Simpson said.
“Anyone who suggests that ruckmen aren’t important these days, just look at the top teams and how important they are.
“It’s definitely important for us and the GIANTS are the same.
“We’ve got Scott Lycett coming through as well who can help out with Nic, but there will be a lot of weight around that contest for sure.”
Earlier in the week, Simpson said relying on star forward Josh Kennedy too much could be the Eagles’ downfall.
Kennedy is heading towards back-to-back Coleman Medals following a seven-goal haul against Fremantle on Sunday.
Kennedy leads the count with 67 goals, six more than Sydney's Lance Franklin and Gold Coast's Tom Lynch.
"I know Kennedy's winning the Coleman and people probably think ... that if he doesn't score, we won't win,” Simpson told 6PR radio in Perth on Monday.
"But we can't rely on JK to kick seven for us to perform.
"And for us to try to isolate him – it's almost impossible if you try to do that.
"Defenders now are just so smart at dropping off non-dangerous players.
"If we have a pattern where we try to expose that, we'll get exposed really quick.”
Sharrod Wellingham is the only player under an injury cloud after West Coast eclipsed Fremantle in Sunday’s Western Derby, but is expected to be fit this week.
Wellingham injured an ankle in the first half of the 46-point victory and will need to prove his fitness to make the trip to Spotless Stadium.
During Simpson’s Thursday media appearance he confirmed that experienced defender Sam Butler would make the flight east, after missing the derby with a low-grade adductor strain.
Meanwhile the Eagles were dealt a blow on Tuesday with defender Xavier Ellis announcing his retirement effective immediately after suffering another calf strain.
