AFTER two stunning victories, West Coast has given itself the opportunity to win three straight matches for the first time since late 2007.

The Eagles rode an eight-day break to upset the Bombers and dent their finals chances, and a week later they jeopardised the Bulldogs' top four aspirations with a "hit-and-run" travel itinerary.

They will need no such inspiration this week as they meet North Melbourne in form and with young players joining their senior teammates in having an impact.

And that ugly road record? No longer an issue.

Chris Masten, Brad Ebert, Tom Swift and Tim Houlihan have lifted in the last fortnight, while Mitch Brown capped a sensational return form a serious knee injury last week with 22 quality possessions and a NAB Rising Star nomination.

North is getting closer to finding a new coach, but caretaker Darren Crocker will be doing all he can to notch some impressive results while in charge.

The Roos' 62-point win over Melbourne in round 19 was Crocker's first victory and he owes the win – and a Powerade-drenched stint in the winners circle – to his senior players.

Young ruckman Todd Goldstein booted five goals, while Corey Jones, Daniel Harris, Michael Firrito and Drew Petrie were impressive.

Twenty-one-year-old ball-magnet Liam Anthony also returns home to WA after averaging 24 possessions in his seven games for North this season.

RECENT RESULTS AGAINST THE WESTERN BULLDOGS
Round eight, 2008 – West Coast 12.11 (83) lost to North Melbourne 13.11 (89) at Gold Coast Stadium
Round 19, 2007 - West Coast 17.17 (119) d North Melbourne 15.12 (102) at Docklands
Round 10, 2007 – West Coast 18.13 (121) d North Melbourne 7.13 (55) at Subiaco Oval
Round 19, 2006 – West Coast 14.23 (107) d North Melbourne 12.9 (81) at Subiaco Oval
Round four, 2006 – West Coast 14.11 (95) d North Melbourne 10.11 (71) at Manuka Oval

MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast
Brett Jones (thigh) – test
Matt Spangher (hamstring) – test
Eric Mackenzie (hamstring) – test
Mark Nicoski (back) – 1-2 weeks
Adam Cockie (collarbone) – 5-7 weeks
Dean Cox (groin) – season
Beau Waters (elbow) – season
Luke Shuey (leg) – season
Daniel Kerr (abdomen) – season

North Melbourne
Jesse Smith (hamstring) – 2 weeks
Leigh Harding (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Jack Ziebell (leg/hip) – season
Ben Warren (leg) – season
Robbie Tarrant (shoulder) – season
Luke Delaney (shoulder) – season

STRENGTHS
West Coast's young players have given the club midfield depth in the last two weeks and they'll take in a much stronger engine room than North on Saturday. Masten and Ebert have started to rotate through the centre with more frequency, Swift and third-year runner Houlihan have impressed and Mark LeCras, 22, is proving a natural in the middle of the ground. Andrew Embley, Matt Priddis and Adam Selwood continue to lead the way. 

POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES
The door has finally closed on Dean Cox's season, but the form of fill-in ruckman Quinten Lynch and future star Nic Naitanui means that role can't be considered a significant weakness for the Eagles. However, North pair Goldstein and Hamish McIntosh dominated the air against Melbourne last week, with Goldstein also pushing forward with effect. Both will test their Eagles markers in the centre square and when drifting into attack.

AT THE SELECTION TABLE
For just the second time this season West Coast has named an unchanged line-up. Chad Fletcher has averaged 36 possessions in his last three WAFL matches but remains an emergency alongside Ryan Davis and Will Schofield. Worsfold suggested mid-week that premiership midfielder Fletcher would have to earn his spot if he is to play a farewell match.

DANGERMAN
Andrew Embley (West Coast)
The re-signed Eagle won the 2006 Norm Smith Medal as a goalkicking midfielder and he turned in his best performance since that September afternoon against the Bulldogs last week. Embley has been a steady performer this season, but his round 19 performance was emphatic. He had 32 possessions and booted four goals – two of them in a tight fourth quarter – to continue his re-emergence as a club leader.

IT'S NOT GENERALLY KNOWN...
Embley's four-goal effort against the Bulldogs was his best scoreboard return since he kicked five against Carlton in round 15, 2003.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.