IT WILL be a talking point until West Coast can silence the doubters, but Jeremy McGovern insists the MCG factor isn't a major focus for the Eagles ahead of a box office bout with Collingwood.
While a 4-6 MCG record under Adam Simpson is hardly disastrous, some critics have been reluctant to label the Eagles genuine flag contenders in 2018 until they take it up to strong opposition at the Grand Final venue.
West Coast's only trip to the 'G this year resulted in a narrow 10-point victory over wooden spoon favourite Carlton in round five, and McGovern said his teammates are relishing the chance to test themselves against the second-placed Pies.
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The star backman believes the Eagles' playing style is now better suited to the home of football, since their switch from narrow Subiaco Oval to Optus Stadium.
West Coast leads the AFL for kicks this season and has moved the ball quickly by foot and defended strongly at Optus - which is only 11 metres thinner than the MCG.
"We're pretty lucky now with Optus Stadium that it's a similar size, so we don't need to change too much," McGovern told AFL.com.au.
"Obviously at Subi it was completely different, we had to change it a fair bit and change the style of play.
"But we don't really talk about it too much now, we just want to be a team that can rock up anywhere and play any oval, any time."
Facing Nathan Buckley's in-form outfit in a hostile environment so close to finals will be an invaluable experience for the Eagles, who haven't beaten Collingwood at the MCG in 10 attempts since 1995.
"Obviously all the big finals are played there. It's good we're playing quality opposition in Collingwood, who are going really well," McGovern said.
"It will be a test for us, it will be a test for them.
"We have a few young boys who haven't experienced it much, so it will be great for them as well."
After three straight losses, the third-placed Eagles steadied their shaky season with a gritty victory over the Giants last Sunday.
In the absence of Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Mark LeCras, gun defender McGovern was sent forward and kicked two crucial second-half goals after only registering two handballs before the long break.
He could go back to defence on Sunday with West Coast's three leading goalkickers selected to return, but is happy to keep honing his forward craft when needed.
"I think everyone expects – I expect it of myself as well – to go up there and kick six every week, but it's not as easy as that," McGovern said.
"It's a craft and you need time up there to really get your head around it.
"If you get thrown around you've got to change your game a little bit, and when you prepare for one thing all week and change it, it makes it a bit hard.
"But I'm happy to do whatever, as long as it contributes to a win I don't mind."
