WEST Coast will "throw caution to the wind" and unwrap injured spearhead Josh Kennedy from cotton wool at training to have him primed for a blockbuster qualifying final against Collingwood.
The Eagles have been without their star forward since round 18 after he suffered a hairline fracture in his shin from a training collision with Tom Cole.
West Coast managed to lock up a top-two spot without him but are desperate to get the dual Coleman medallist back for September.
Kennedy did a power of running at Subiaco Oval on Monday but will need to ramp up his contested match simulation to prepare for the Pies on Saturday week.
Simpson was confident the battle-scarred 31-year-old would be ready.
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"I think we've just got to get him out there and throw caution to the wind," Simpson said.
"He can't not do anything and just play, it's been too long, so he's got to really push himself.
"He knows what he has to do and he did this (during) pre-season. He missed a lot of football training pre-round one (with an ankle problem), missed the first three rounds, came straight back in and we got some good footy out of him.
"He's a pro."
Kennedy will have more time than expected to prepare after the Eagles were surprisingly fixtured to host the Pies next Saturday night, when a Thursday night bout seemed likely.
But the extra days won't help his bid to get game time before the Collingwood clash, with the big man ineligible to play in a WAFL elimination final for East Perth on Sunday.
Only AFL-listed players who have made five WAFL appearances – and three in the last nine rounds – are eligible when the Eagles aren't playing.
With Kennedy back, West Coast will be close to full strength for finals – although Nic Naitanui (knee) and Andrew Gaff (suspension) are sidelined.
The Eagles have overcome significant hurdles to lock away second spot, with Simpson being rewarded for showing faith in youth.
West Coast fielded four of its eight 2018 debutants in the round 23 win over Brisbane and the youngsters have played key roles this year, giving the coach confidence they won't be overawed by finals football.
"They've played in some big games this year our kids. Can you compare it to finals? We've had more people at our home games than anyone in the comp," Simpson said.
"We're averaging 50,000 people and I'm sure there's another step up, but the only way to get through that is to play them."
West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn has led the Eagles into the previous three finals campaigns, including the shock 2015 march to the Grand Final, and the 30-year-old's message to his younger teammates is to not become distracted by the prize at the end of September.
"You don't want to look too far ahead because you can't control that," Hurn said.
"It's just about now preparing for coming up to play against Collingwood."
Hurn's outstanding campaign has been a crucial factor in the Eagles' push up the ladder, and he is favoured to be named All Australian for the first time on Wednesday night.
He is also a leading contender to be chosen as captain and said focusing more on the bigger picture has helped him reach career-best form.
"It just comes from having a bit more experience and understanding how you play your best football," Hurn said.
"I have a lot of enjoyment now about helping and passing on experiences to the group and to the younger players.
"That tends to help a bit when you get older.
"If it's been a good year (for me), it's for other people to judge, I think."
