EAGLES star Jack Darling insists travelling for the rest of September, however long West Coast's finals campaign lasts, isn't a daunting prospect for the defending premiers.
The Eagles took care of business in Thursday night's home elimination final by thrashing Essendon, but will face a step up in class against either Geelong or Collingwood next Friday night at the MCG.
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It could be the start of three straight weeks on the road if West Coast is good enough to overcome finishing fifth on the ladder to reach the Grand Final.
Jack Darling booted two goals as part a potent forward line against the Bombers. Picture: AFL Photos
"We obviously travel the most in the AFL, so it's not daunting at all," Darling told AFL.com.au.
"We've just had a two-week break pretty much, and then we've got another seven or eight-day break, so we'll be fresh and ready to go.
"We'll just focus on the next game and then we'll reassess after that."
The Eagles lost on their last visit to the 'G by a straight kick to flag favourite Richmond in round 22, ending a five-game winning streak at the home of football.
Three of those victories came against the Magpies.
"We like it (at the MCG). We like using the ball, making the ground big, making the ground small, it's not really a factor," Darling said.
"It feels like home in the rooms. Some good memories there, so it's all good."
We obviously travel the most in the AFL, so it's not daunting at all - Jack Darling
Returning ruckman Nic Naitanui was inspirational against the Dons, and shapes as the Eagles' trump card if they are going to make it deep into September.
The marquee big man's sublime taps helped West Coast score 42 points directly from centre bounces in the elimination final – the second-most of any side this year.
Naitanui's ground level presence was also a huge factor as the Eagles dominated contested ball (+22).
"The boys just rise to the occasion, I guess. It was an elimination final, so glad the boys won that by 20-something," Darling said.
"It certainly helps us as forwards get more inside 50s.
"(Naitanui) had his presence around the field. Sometimes you feel a bit sorry for blokes when he's about to tackle them.
"He has great aggression and uses his strength, which is his athletic ability."
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West Coast's forwards feasted on slick ball movement and a ton of supply (67 inside 50s), with veteran spearhead Josh Kennedy kicking an equal finals-best four majors following a lean spell.
Meanwhile, Jamie Cripps, Liam Ryan, Jake Waterman, Willie Rioli and Darling were all dangerous, combining for a dozen goals.
"He's proved over so many years he's such a dangerous threat up there," Darling said of Kennedy.
"It's so good to be playing alongside him, and I think we all worked well together.
"I just think we learnt from the Hawks game (in round 23).
"We were a bit off defensively and the Bombers really take it on, so it was pretty important to be on defensively and get those forward-half turnovers."
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