West Coast will be “up for the challenge” against League-leading Collingwood in a rare Saturday night away game at Marvel Stadium, senior coach Andrew McQualter says.

The experienced Magpies have taken all before them this season and sit six points clear on top of the ladder – with a game in hand over Brisbane - heading into round 16.

Coming off the bye, the Eagles are determined to keep improving and are looking forward to the opportunity to test themselves against the flag fancy on hostile territory.

“Collingwood are a team in form, no doubt about that, but every week we look at games and we find holes in opposition and things that we can exploit,” McQualter said on Wednesday.

“We’re up for the challenge. It’s a really exciting one.

“We’re going to miss some of our senior players, which will provide opportunities for other guys to step up into leadership positions.

“It’s a great opportunity and we can’t wait for it.”

Collingwood star Nick Daicos has been difficult for West Coast to shut down in recent years and looms large again on Saturday.

The gun midfielder picked up 36 disposals and kicked a goal in the corresponding clash last season, coming off a 30-disposal, three-goal game against the Eagles in 2023.

West Coast defender-turned-midfielder Brady Hough is set to return after missing the loss to Carlton due to illness and is the likely stopper if McQualter chooses to tag Daicos.

“It’s something we’re still working through in match committee. He’s such an exceptional player; his brother (Josh) is pretty handy too,” McQualter said of Daicos.

“They’ve also got a few others that are quite capable. It’s definitely a challenge.

“There’s no easy answer to it. Even when you tag Nick he’s pretty handy still.

“We think 'Houghy' has got the skillset to do it, for sure, playing defence the first (three) years of his career and then building his game that way.”

The Eagles are also hopeful Tom Cole and Harry Edwards will be available after hamstring concerns, with the defensive duo tested at main training on Wednesday.

Edwards felt some hamstring tightness late against the Blues before the bye, while Cole missed that clash with a strain.

McQualter will be forced into at least one change after co-captain Oscar Allen underwent season-ending knee surgery last week. 

Allen joins fellow leaders Jeremy McGovern (retired) and Jake Waterman (shoulder) on the sidelines for the rest of 2025 - along with Dom Sheed (ACL).

“That’s something we’re working through, for sure. Three of our guys (leaders) won’t play again this year,” McQualter said.

“We’ll look at options of whether we formally put some guys in the leadership group. The reality is we expect everyone to be a leader, you need to in the team.

“What this will provide with only three leaders playing on the weekend is there will be space for others to lead.

“I think we’re starting to get that from all players but particularly from younger players as well, which has been really pleasing.”

West Coast remains hopeful sorely missed star Elliot Yeo will be available in around a month after missing the entire season to date due to knee and ankle problems.