WEST Coast's ruck curse has claimed another scalp, but the Eagles have faith journeyman Jonathan Giles can step into the void, defender Sharrod Wellingham says.

Giles was held out of East Perth's loss to West Perth on Sunday just hours after veteran Drew Petrie suffered a broken hand in his Eagles debut against former club North Melbourne.

The 201cm big man is likely to be called upon to partner Nathan Vardy in the ruck against St Kilda on Saturday for just his fifth appearance in blue and gold.

Giles has form stepping up when the Eagles need him most. 

The 29-year-old came in for an injured Nic Naitanui (ACL) and produced arguably the best game of his career in round 23 last season in a shock road win over Adelaide which secured an Eagles home final.

Although the former Port Adelaide, Essendon and GWS big man missed out on a round one berth due to a pre-season thumb setback, he impressed over summer while Naitanui and Scott Lycett (knee, shoulder) were in rehabilitation.

"His pre-season was awesome. He had one minor hiccup with a hand injury, but other than that he was still able to do all of his running, so he was in really good nick," Wellingham said.

"He's played a couple of WAFL games now and hopefully can come in and get some really good form, if he is the one that comes in and fills the void.

"He's aware that he's got to fight for his spot in the side and over summer he did that and he was performing really well.

"I know that as soon as the matchplay came around he was a really dominant ruckman in our intraclub matches.

"If he continues that vein of form he'll be really handy for us."

Wellingham lauded Petrie's effort after playing out Sunday's match and said the 34-year-old was in "high spirits" despite his injury.

While Todd Goldstein and Braydon Preuss dominated hit-outs for North (51-29), the Eagles squared the clearance battle in a positive sign for the season ahead.

"You look at who is in there, we've got a couple of Brownlow medallists (Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis), we've got Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, I think Jack Redden played a really good game and we were able to rely on the contest," Wellingham said.

"You look at those guys, the size and stature of them, they're all pretty strong blokes … I think they're going to be able to win their share of contested footy."

Meanwhile, Wellingham predicted the Eagles would chop and change between two or three key defenders – and personnel – this season.

West Coast's backline looked vulnerable in the air at times against the Roos, whose inaccuracy in front of goal was costly.

"I don't think there is any best (defensive) mix. I think it's purely going to come down to match-ups week-in, week-out," Wellingham said.

"It will be a horses for courses type year I think.

"At the moment it's Ezy (Eric Mackenzie) and Gov (Jeremy McGovern), as the weeks progress we might find different match-ups."