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 14^th in the AFL for average clearances per game and 16^th for average contested possessions per game, while Rosa boasts an average of 29 disposals per game (12^th in the AFL) and an average of 21 disposals uncontested (3^rd 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 - 6^th
CARL – 138 - 18^th

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

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

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