THREE straight wins have the Eagles up and about and coach John Worsfold has challenged his side to carry that form into the last two rounds of the season, starting with top-four hopefuls Adelaide.

Late-season injuries to NAB AFL Rising Star nominees Chris Masten (knee) and Mitch Brown (foot) were a cruel blow, but chances will be given to Matt Spangher, Ryan Davis and Brent Staker in the trip to AAMI Stadium.

They'll step into a side that has won consecutive games against Essendon, the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne in the last three weeks and Worsfold said his side was ready for the Crows.   

"They're in great shape, but you don't expect not to play great teams in this competition," Worsfold said during the week. "We're ready for it and we'll give it our best shot.

"I think it's fair reward for the players this year that they've strung some wins together and we want to carry that through.

"We want to carry the strong form that they've shown and the improvement that they've shown throughout the year, we want to carry that through the last couple of weeks."

Since thumping cross-town rival Port Adelaide in round 17, the Crows have had three bruising clashes with Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn. They could only get over the line against the Hawks but will be desperate to win this week to keep their top-four hopes alive.

Worsfold said they had a similar zone set-up to premiership favourite St Kilda. 

"They're intensity in their zone is very good at the moment," he said. 

"They've worked very hard at that and changed it a little bit from the past. Really taking them on with that and working the ball through them is going to be the key.  

"They're very similar [to St Kilda] with their pressure."

West Coast will continue its 'hit and run' travel routine, leaving on Friday, playing Saturday and returning that night. 

Worsfold said the players had been pleased with the routine, following their stunning round-19 win over the Bulldogs.

"The interesting feedback was that Andrew Embley thought that before that he would have been against travelling one day out, but after it he thinks it was the way to go," Worsfold said. 

"I think kicking four and being best on ground had something to do with it. But the fact that he got up and felt good and ready to play was the biggest thing.

"We'll weight it up again this week and see how they pull up."

RECENT RESULTS AGAINST ADELAIDE
Round nine, 2008 – West Coast 14.13 (97) d Adelaide 5.17 (47) at Subiaco Oval
Round two, 2008 – West Coast 8.9 (57) lost to Adelaide 21.7 (133) at AAMI Stadium
Round 13, 2007 – West Coast 14.11 (95) d Adelaide 10.14 (74) at AAMI Stadium
Prelim final, 2006 – West Coast 11.19 (85) d Adelaide 11.9 (75) at AAMI Stadium
Round 17, 2006 – West Coast 26.9 (165) d Adelaide 12.11 (83) at Subiaco Oval 

MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast
Pat McGinnity (illness) – 1 week
Brett Jones (thigh) – test
Ash Hansen (hip) – test
Beau Waters (elbow) – elbow
Luke Shuey (leg) – season
Daniel Kerr (adductor) – season
Dean Cox (groin) – season
Adam Cockie (collarbone) – season
Mark Nicoski (back) – season
Mitch Brown (foot) – season
Chris Masten (knee) – season

Adelaide
David Mackay (hamstring) – test
Patrick Dangerfield (back) – test
Brett Burton (corked glute) – test
Shaun McKernan (broken arm) – test
Jarrhan Jacky (hamstring) – 1 week
Nick Gill (ankle) – 2 weeks
Nathan Bock (heel) – indefinite
Brad Moran (knee) – indefinite
Brodie Martin (knee) – season

STRENGTHS
Brown's injury couldn't disrupt West Coast's settled defence, with Spangher stepping straight in. Elsewhere, Darren Glass and Shannon Hurn are locking down their opponents – with Hurn continuing to develop into an attacking weapon as well – while Sam Butler is making a success of his move into defence.

POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES
The disciplined Crows have a relentless zone defence and they boast the hardened experienced midfielders to pull it off. Tom Swift, Brad Ebert, Scott Selwood and Tim Houlihan will have their hands full moving the ball through the wall set up by Tyson Edwards, Scott Thompson, Nathan van Berlo, Bernie Vince and co.   

AT THE SELECTION TABLE
Davis hasn't played since round three, but the feisty New South Welshman has earned himself a late-season call-up after an impressive stretch of WAFL form. Brent Staker has also been rewarded after fighting back from consecutive hand injuries, while Spangher comes into the side to cover the injured Brown (foot). Masten (knee) and Pat McGinnity (illness) are the other omissions.   

DANGERMAN
Tim Houlihan
With his elite running ability, Tim Houlihan would be a unique player in most midfields. The youngster has averaged more than 22 possessions a game since coming into the side in round 16 and he shone against North Melbourne last week with 27 touches.

IT'S NOT GENERALLY KNOWN
Of Eagles currently in the side, only Adam Selwood and Matt Priddis are averaging more possessions than Houlihan this season.

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