ON THE weekend another past champion returns to Subiaco Oval, it seems a cruel time for the West Coast faithful to watch their charges face Chris Judd and his Blues.

But the past is the past and the Friday night stage is set at Docklands for one of West Coast's youngsters – including first-gamer Tom Swift – to stand up and give the fans hope for the future.

There wasn't much to cheer about last week against Collingwood. The Pies' mature midfield racking up possessions at will and delivering a lesson to their young Eagles markers. 

This week's opponent boasts a midfield more blue chip than blue collar, with Judd leading young stars Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs. But after losing five of its past seven matches, Carlton is losing its way.

Coach Brett Ratten says his side needs to mature if it is to push for a top-four spot and a 44-point loss to Adelaide in round nine only emphasised that point.

West Coast's 22-point loss to the Pies was equally humbling, but coach John Worsfold moved quickly mid-week to warn fans inconsistency was part of the deal with a rebuilding side.

Worsfold said the club had a strong focus on building towards a premiership and was prepared to wear some pain in the meantime.

"If they (the fans) want to have a side that might finish ninth or 10th for five years in a row, we could manufacture that, but if they want a team that could potentially win a premiership within five or six years of their previous premiership, that's what we're aiming for," Worsfold said.

RECENT RESULTS AGAINST CARLTON
Round seven, 2008 – West Coast 10.14 (74) lost to Carlton 17.9 (111) At Subiaco Oval
Round four, 2007 – West Coast 14.16 (100) d Carlton 4.15 (39) at Subiaco Oval
Round 11, 2006 – West Coast 16.15 (111) d Carlton 15.11 (101) at Subiaco Oval
Round 14, 2005 – West Coast 21.13 (139) d Carlton 9.8 (62) at Subiaco Oval
Round 20, 2004 – West Coast 15.21 (111) d Carlton 6.13 (49) at Subiaco Oval

MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast
Beau Waters (elbow) – season
Brent Staker (hand) – 3 weeks
Luke Shuey (groin) – available

Carlton
Adam Bentick (knee) – 1 week
Andrew Carrazzo (finger) – 2 weeks
Lachie Hill (hamstring) – test
Sam Jacobs (foot) – 4 weeks
Chris Johnson (thigh) – test
Darren Pfeiffer (shoulder) – 6 weeks
Jarrad Waite (knee) – season
Andrew Walker (shoulder) – 8 weeks
Robert Warnock (foot) – 6 weeks
Simon Wiggins (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks

STRENGTHS
Positives were not on the agenda after the Collingwood match, but in the wash up, Darren Glass looks to be taking some stellar form into a likely duel with Brendan Fevola.

Glass' opponent, John Anthony, booted three goals from nine disposals for Collingwood, but all while the skipper was off the field or elsewhere.

The Blues were held goalless to half time last week and Fevola managed just one of their eight majors, despite seven scoring shots, suggesting Glass and sidekick Eric Mackenzie can provide some stability down back for the side on Friday night.
 
POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES
Scott Selwood, Brad Ebert and Chris Masten are learning plenty rotating through the centre square and to not give them the opportunity to play on the competition's best at times would be an opportunity lost.

But as was the case against the Pies, they will come up against far more advanced opponents on Friday night and will inevitably give ground.

With the Blues' midfield running deep there will be a testing match-up for one or two young Eagles.
 
AT THE SELECTION TABLE
Worsfold warned there would be casualties after last week's effort, and Sam Butler, Adam Cockie, Brett Jones and Mark Seaby have all been omitted. Cockie returns to the rookie list for now, while Matt Priddis will miss with a groin injury. Exciting recruit Swift headlines the inclusions, named on a forward flank to play his first game. Adam Hunter (shoulder) and Mark LeCras (virus) return to the side after spells with injury, while Tyson Stenglein and Jamie McNamara have been recalled for midfield reinforcements.

DANGERMAN
Daniel Kerr: Worsfold maintains Kerr is not suffering from the groin injury that sidelined him in round eight – he just had an off night against the Pies. Poor efficiency scarred most of Kerr's 26 disposals and the star will be keen to rectify that on the big stage opposed to his great mate Judd. Kerr was suspended the last time West Coast met Carlton and he is yet to face off against his former teammate in the navy blue. 

IT'S NOT GENERALLY KNOWN...
Dean Cox's 12 possessions last week was his equal lowest disposal count since the Eagles' semi-final win over the Western Bulldogs in 2006 (11 possessions).

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