NORTH Melbourne is firmly in premiership contention and West Coast must match them to be a serious contender, Eagles coach Adam Simpson says.
The Eagles host the Roos on Sunday at Domain Stadium in a match that has significant ramifications for the top-eight.
Hawthorn did both clubs a favour on Thursday night by ensuring Port Adelaide remains at least two games clear of the eight with seven rounds remaining.
West Coast has yet to beat a top-eight team this season but a win over North would keep them in touch with the race for the top-four.
If the Kangaroos lose on Sunday they will slide to eighth spot on the back of five losses in six matches after starting the season with nine-straight wins.
Simpson said that the Kangaroos were still firmly in flag calculations.
Match preview: West Coast v North Melbourne
"They’re in full contention for going all the way this year," Simpson said.
"I think the one thing we know about North is the brand they play is built for finals, and we've had some really good battles with them of late.
"But it's a combative finals-type of football that they play. That's the exciting part for us.
"Where are we at? We'll find out this week."
Simpson said the Eagles had to at least match the Kangaroos in the contest to have any chance.
"If you don't match North in that area, you're going to get exposed," Simpson said.
"We're anticipating that's what they'll bring and we need to match them in that. It’s pretty simple."
Simpson has been unequivocal in his assessment of the Eagles as a mid-table team.
He has stated regularly that they deserve to be exactly where they are on the ladder after losing five of five to top-eight teams.
"We're looking over our shoulder and we're looking ahead as well," the coach said.
"It's as tight as I've ever seen."
The Eagles have opted to pick just one specialist ruckman in Scott Lycett to tackle Todd Goldstein.
Lycett hardly trained this week after pulling up sore from the win over Essendon. Simpson guaranteed he would play but the Eagles are still working out how much ruck work Mitch Brown and Jeremy McGovern will need to do.
"We've got to look at that," Simpson said.
"How long can ‘Gov’ do something like that for? Goldstein is an All Australian ruckman, so he's pretty smart as well. We're looking at both avenues with that with obviously Brown coming into the side to play that role as well."
Josh Hill is certain to return after missing last week with tonsillitis.
There is wet weather scheduled in Perth over the weekend and Simpson said that could play a factor in the Eagles' final selection.
