With just two rounds of the regular season remaining, West faces an uphill battle to be fit for the first final against Hawthorn, and coach Rodney Eade says the seven-time best and fairest winner will not get any special treatment, despite his status as one of the Dogs favourite sons.
"We can't afford to let emotion get involved in making what is the right decision for the footy club," Eade told the Herald Sun.
"We've spoken to Scott about that and Scott's going to give it his best chance. He knows, I would've thought, that it might not happen, but he's giving it his best shot.
"Of course it's going to be tough personally. I haven't thought about it because it's no good dancing at shadows. But that's what you get paid for, that's why you've got the title. We'll make the decision based on the facts at the time.
"He was here for five hours the other day on his day off.
"He's manic about it, and if he anyone deserves it, it's Scott. He's not going to die wondering."
West is aiming for the round 22 match against Adelaide as his return game, but must make it through another week with Williamstown in the VFL this weekend before being considered.
"To most players I would have thought it was an uphill battle for the amount of time given to play games," Eade said.
"But Westy is a unique individual. He is the toughest competitor I've seen to be able to play under duress and to get the job done.
"I remember we asked him to play on (Anthony) Koutoufides one day and he finds a way. He's that good a competitor. We played Adelaide first round and Scott Thompson took him to the goalsquare and West found a way to not let Scott Thompson outmark him in the goalsquare.
"So, it is an uphill battle for most people, but Scott West is a unique individual."
