WEST COAST'S 36-point win over Carlton, and its first top-four scalp for the season, is an important step in the club's progression towards challenging for a premiership, according to coach John Worsfold.

The Eagles hadn't beaten Carlton in their past four encounters, and more importantly had been unable to defeat them in Melbourne since round 12, 2002, at Princes Park.

It is the first time this year the Eagles have beaten a side above them on the ladder, as well as their first victory in Melbourne, making it four wins on the trot for last year's wooden spooners who continue to grow in confidence.

"I think the players have grown a lot in belief this year, there's no doubt about that, and today would reinforce that for sure," Worsfold said after the match.

Just two points outside of the top four, West Coast is now well-placed to challenge those clubs currently entrenched in it, in particular the third-placed Hawks who have been savaged by injuries to key players.

Although Worsfold wouldn't put a time frame on how long he believed it would take for his young group to become serious premiership contenders, he admitted Sunday's win was a vital step forward.

"It's a win against an opposition above us on the ladder for a start, and considering we'd been doing well enough to be at reasonable position on the ladder, then [a step forward for us] had to be a [win] against a good team," Worsfold said.

"Our aim is to build a team that can challenge for a premiership, and there's certain things we need to continue to work on and make happen to achieve that.

"But I think what people have seen so far is that there is a pathway that we believe in and we're heading down it."

The Eagles now have a bye before they attempt to notch their 10th win for the season, and fifth in a row, against undefeated Geelong on Friday week in front of a home crowd at Patersons Stadium.

Worsfold said the bye would give the club a chance to prepare for what looms as an intriguing clash, but wasn't concerned the break would halt the flow of momentum the side has gathered over the past month.

"It's a fairly short break," Worsfold said.

"So really we're preparing for Geelong and we've got 12 days to get ready for that now.

"We'll go for our fifth win in a row … sometimes you get an eight day break in season, sometimes it's longer.

"We're happy with 12 days, we think it'll be perfect to freshen the guys up but then get some really good work into them leading into the game."