WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson won't use the pain of last year's elimination final defeat to motivate his players ahead of Friday night's blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs.

Eight months have passed since the Dogs kick-started their fairytale run to a drought-breaking premiership with a 47-point humbling of West Coast at Domain Stadium, but that disappointment has been impossible for the Eagles to forget.

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The players relived those bitter memories when Simpson showed footage from last year's final earlier this week, although the coach wasn't making a point of revving up his troops for payback.

"We used a bit of vision for strategic purposes and what they're trying to do with the ball, so quite often you reflect on the last time you played, but no I won't be using that (final) as motivation," Simpson said. 

"It's a completely different season, different atmosphere, different focuses in terms of what we're about.
"I know it's got relevance because it's the last time we played, but no it's not a motivating factor."

West Coast's midfield was badly beaten by the Dogs last September, losing the contested possession count by 23 and clearances by eight, and that midfield battle looms as a key to Friday night's clash.

"It's still one of their major strengths what they do around the contest," Simpson said.

"I know their numbers suggest they're not quite as dominant as they were last year, but I think their best is still the best in the competition.

"How they move the ball out of the contest is really hard to stop and something you've got to be aware of."

Simpson confirmed at least one change for round eight, with young onballer Liam Duggan set to return from a corked thigh after missing the gritty road win over Port Adelaide.

The Eagles are weighing up throwing half-back Elliot Yeo into the middle to take on Dogs star Marcus Bontempelli, after Yeo blanketed Nat Fyfe in the Western Derby and held him to a season-low 19 touches.

"It would be a good match-up," Simpson said.

"Bontempelli's another level with his performances, but if we put too much work into him there is so many good midfielders at the Bulldogs it might compromise other things.

"It takes away a few things (Yeo) does in other areas of the ground; we'll look at it though.

"He's done it before with Fyfe."

Simpson was noncommittal about playing two big men against Bulldogs ruckman Tom Boyd, after Nathan Vardy and Jonathan Giles lowered their colours to Power star Paddy Ryder.

Ruck reinforcements are set to arrive soon, with Drew Petrie in line to return from a broken hand next week, while Scott Lycett (shoulder) is less than a month away.

"To suggest (Petrie will) come in and take over the ruck stocks, I don't think that's quite true, but he'll add to the depth," Simpson said.

"He's been training really well without using the ball – he hasn't really marked the footy yet, so we've got to get through that."

Pressure forward Jamie Cripps (ankle) and tough young backman Jackson Nelson (wrist) are also expected to be available to face Essendon in round nine.