Think West Coast and thoughts invariably turn to Dean Cox, Nic Natanui, Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. And yet, the Eagles’ respected if less-heralded on-ball division warrants every bit as much scrutiny – even moreso given the latest untimely losses of Bell, Curnow and Judd.

The principal prime movers for West Coast are Luke Shuey and Matt Rosa, and the numbers for both players don’t lie. Shuey is currently ranked 14th in the AFL for average clearances per game and 16th for average contested possessions per game, while Rosa boasts an average of 29 disposals per game (12th in the AFL) and an average of 21 disposals uncontested (3rd in AFL).

Clearly, Shuey and Rosa will warrant close attention and one cannot help but suspect Andrew Carrazzo will get the job on either.

But back to Jack . . . and Darling, who currently leads West Coast for goals, contested marks and marks inside 50, has already set the agenda in terms of the team’s focus for Saturday’s twilight contest with Carlton at Etihad. Given the Eagles’ recent losses to Geelong and Port Adelaide, Darling is quoted on West Coast’s website as saying another loss at the hands of what the club’s reporter has referred to as the “struggling Blues” “would be a kick in the guts”.

“It’s the sort of game we should get the job done. Obviously we’re going to be a bit sour about the Port defeat and we’ll come out really hard,” said Darling, who with Josh Kennedy contributed the collective tally of 3.8 to the Eagles’ total last Saturday night.

KEY STATS

Ave. handballs per game
WCE – 161 - 6th
CARL – 138 - 18th

Ave. contested poss.
WCE – 141 - 8th
CARL – 139 - 11th

Ave. hitouts
WCE – 46 - 4th
CARL – 45 - 5th

Ave. clearances
WCE – 36 - 14th
CARL – 41 - 4th