Patersons Stadium
Sunday September 9, 1.15pm WST/3.15pm EST
West Coast veterans Beau Waters and Matt Priddis have spoken highly of North Melbourne's strength in the contest and believe it will be vital to Sunday's game.
Talking to local media, Priddis singled out Jack Ziebell and Andrew Swallow as 'good contested ball winners' while also noting the Kangaroos' ability on the spread with 'guys on the outside like Wells and Harvey'.
Wells is fighting to overcome a calf injury in time to be selected for the trip west, yet Priddis and the Eagles will prepare as if he is playing.
"He's (Wells) had two (sic) weeks off now, so we hope he plays and we'll be prepared for that.
"He's a fantastic player and has been for a long time. He's got great speed, he uses the ball really well and is a key player for them so we'll prepare for him to play and we're excited for the challenge," Priddis added.
Waters believes if the game turns into a contested one, West Coast will be playing its best football.
"Our intensity is up, we're winning the inside ball. We've got some great midfielders who can spread hard from stoppages and use the ball by foot as well."
"I believe if we win the contested ball then we also have the skill level to beat them on the outside."
It's a high vote of confidence given the praise Waters had for North Melbourne's skills just moments earlier.
"North Melbourne play a running game and they've been very good with their skills over the journey."
When asked about the Round 15 clash in Hobart, Priddis stated 'we just allowed them to play to their strengths'.
"They were winning the contested footy and then their ball use was very good and it's a real strength of theirs. We gave them too much time and space."
