WEST COAST'S luxury of naming an unchanged line-up for the first time since round five, 2007 is evidence of the squad's continued progress.

That was the word from senior assistant coach Peter Sumich, who said it was great for the development and emergence of the Eagles' young players.

"Ryan Davis got his opportunity last week and for him to play another game is great," he said on Friday. "Brad Ebert and Chris Masten are developing so it's all good for the future.

"We're playing those kids on form and [experienced emergencies Brent Staker and Mark Seaby] miss out because their form wasn't up to where it should be.

"That's great for us that we can get an opportunity for some of these young kids to play."

The Eagles were put through a light training session at Melbourne's Albert Ground on Friday morning ahead of Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Docklands.

Sumich agreed the undefeated Saints would provide a stern test for the young group.

"We understand that in the last few weeks they have been good with the pressure skills so we've just got to counteract that," he said.

"They've got a senior list which you look at from afar and there's not too many really young kids in there, so they're a mature list probably having a crack at the top four.

"They're in great form … so it's going to be a tough one."

The ruck duel between former teammates Dean Cox and Michael Gardiner looms as a pivotal contest.

Gardiner was traded from the Eagles at the end of 2006.

"It will be very interesting," Sumich said. "I think both will look forward to it because they're great competitors. It will be a great contest.

"Last year he (Gardiner) played at Subi and it wasn't a great game for him, but now to come back this year, he looks in great nick. He's a professional in that area and his form now is showing that."

Sumich also made special mention of former Crow Tyson Stenglein, who will play his 200th AFL match on Saturday afternoon.

"He's very professional and he's a great leader," he said. "I hear that Adelaide probably would have made him captain if he had have stayed there.

"He deserves everything he's got so far at our club with a premiership medal. I wish him all the best for his 200th.

"200 games in AFL footy is huge and he deserves it. He's put a lot of time and effort in [and] hopefully he can get another 50-odd."

Sumich doubted any late changes would be made before the match.