WEST COAST needs to end a long-standing drought against top-tier teams to take the next step in its development, Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis says
The Eagles trounced Greater Western Sydney by 87 points at Domain Stadium on Saturday night and will follow up against the in-form Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The Eagles are 3-2 having accounted for Carlton, the Brisbane Lions and the Giants but they have not beaten a top-eight team since round 20, 2013 when they beat fifth-placed Essendon at Etihad Stadium.
Priddis said Sunday’s clash was a chance to make a statement in a "finals-like" atmosphere at Adelaide Oval.
"We need to win as many games as we can to play finals footy," Priddis said.
"That means we have to beat some real quality sides. We probably haven't been able to do that in the past so it's probably the next step for our playing group.
"We want to challenge ourselves against the best. Port Adelaide were a kick away from a Grand Final last year and there is no better time to stand up and really compete well against this side."
Priddis said he watched Port Adelaide beat Adelaide in a tense Showdown on Sunday and he looked forward to the Eagles' chance to test themselves against a quality midfield.
"They're a really good blend," Priddis said.
"They've got some great speed. (Travis) Boak is a great leader and Robbie Gray has just got great agility and awareness, he's a real modern-day midfielder. That's exciting for us. We're an improving and developing midfield and there's going to be challenges."
Priddis said the Eagles' midfield pressure against the Giants was the best it has been all year and believes they need to maintain that standard this week to support the defence.
"I think it was our best four-quarter performance," Priddis said.
"The thing that stands out for me was the pressure we applied. The pressure we applied for the duration of the game allowed us to play the game in our forward half.
"If our pressure in the midfield is really good as it was on the weekend then it gives our backs a great chance."
The Eagles have a couple of injury concerns to deal with this week. Forward Josh Kennedy hyper-extended his right elbow in the win over the Giants and will need to be managed. Luke Shuey and Will Schofield are carrying ankle issues while Mark LeCras was subbed out of the game with tightness.
Experienced utility Matt Rosa missed the clash with the Giants on Saturday due to back-related tightness.
All will be monitored closely ahead of the trip to Adelaide on Sunday.
