LUKE Shuey is confident West Coast possesses enough talented youth to ensure its ageing squad will thrive in the future.

The Eagles entered this season with the oldest squad in the AFL, headed by 34-year-old recruits Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie.

Despite boasting so much experience, the Eagles face a massive battle to lock down a top-four berth, and are still no guarantee to even play finals.

Their inconsistencies have led some experts to question why the Eagles are playing so many veterans.

But Shuey insists there is enough young talent being given a go.

He said Dom Sheed, Tom Barrass, Jackson Nelson, Tom Cole and Liam Duggan were examples of the next wave of players coming through the ranks.

The Eagles also have high hopes for Malcolm Karpany, Kurt Mutimer, Luke Partington, Daniel Venables, and Willie Rioli.

"Some of our young kids have progressed really well over the last couple of years, and this year especially," Shuey said.

"Liam Duggan had probably his best game for the club yesterday. Dom Sheed put in another terrific performance.

"There are a big list of young players - first to fourth year - who have played really well at times. And they're going to be carrying this club for the next 10 years or so.

"We've got so much trust in them on game day now, which is great. There's certainly not as much pressure on the older boys as what there has been in the past."

West Coast rose to eighth spot following Sunday's 30-point Western Derby win over Fremantle.

But coach Adam Simpson was concerned about his midfield group's performance in that match after the Eagles were thumped 40-28 in the stoppages.

Shuey said the club's on-ballers would need to turn that around in Sunday's clash with Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.

The 27-year-old will notch his 150-game milestone against the Magpies, while spearhead Josh Kennedy will be celebrating game No.200.