WEST Coast is tossing up whether to call on ruckman Scott Lycett for his long-awaited comeback game, with coach Adam Simpson weighing the benefits of trying to expose the Western Bulldogs for height.

Lycett hasn't played AFL since last year's elimination final loss to the Dogs due to a PCL reconstruction followed by shoulder surgery in March, which compounded the absence of star Nic Naitanui. 

But after three games back for East Perth, the 203cm big man is under serious consideration to partner recruit Nathan Vardy in the ruck for the first time in Saturday's important clash at Etihad Stadium.

With veteran Drew Petrie certain to hold his spot after booting four goals in the gripping loss to Melbourne last round, the Eagles could take a tall side into the Dogs clash.

"That's always a question you ask when you're playing a team like the Bulldogs, do you try to expose your height or is it going to expose you?" Simpson said.

"They're still a pretty quick, elusive side that playing a taller side against them can be an asset or it can be a real hindrance.

"Drew's playing Josh Kennedy's role at the moment, so I think you can actually handle that (playing all three) with what we're doing.

"Once we get (Lycett) back in, I'd like to try and keep him in. I don't want to rush him back."

Simpson declared West Coast would make multiple changes from the side that went down in a heartstopper to the Dees.

Skipper Shannon Hurn (concussion/hamstring) will miss the trip east, while defender Sharrod Wellingham and potential debutant Luke Partington are traveling with the squad.

"He's very close," Simpson said of Partington. "He's done a lot right. He had 28 touches and kicked four (goals at East Perth) on the weekend and a couple of weeks ago had similar numbers, so he's ready.

"He knows how to kick a goal, he's not a big fella, but he's got that one trait that’s very hard to teach, which is natural ball-winning ability."

The Eagles are clinging to seventh spot on the ladder after losing four of their last five games, but Simpson remains upbeat and is adamant West Coast's season is still "well-and-truly alive".

Upsetting the Bulldogs, who also have a 7-6 record and are sitting ninth, on their home deck would be a significant boost.

But Simpson is more concerned with how his side performs after three-straight defeats in Melbourne, including a 61-point hammering from Essendon in round nine at Etihad.

"The form in Melbourne has been really disappointing in recent times and that's the first thing we want to rectify," Simpson said.

"Win, lose or draw we really want to have a solid effort in how we go about it mentally and also how we go about combating the premiers."

Meanwhile, Simpson said discussions with veteran Sam Mitchell about playing next season were ongoing, and his future might not be revealed until after the season.

"His form hasn’t been an issue, it's just more whether he's willing to go on again and whether we need that as a list management issue as well," Simpson said.

"We'll get to that together."