WEST Coast's clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday is not only important in the race for the top four but it's also vital to break a winless streak against the Magpies at the venue that has stretched beyond 20 years.
The Eagles' record at the MCG has been a source of great consternation this season for both the club and its supporters.
They beat Carlton by seven points at the venue just a fortnight ago in an unconvincing performance and the clash against the Pies will be their last at the venue before a potential final.
But the Eagles have not beaten Collingwood at the home of football since round two, 1995, when they were the reigning premiers under Mick Malthouse and Collingwood's current coach Nathan Buckley was playing just the 45th game of his illustrious 280-game playing career.
The Eagles have played the Magpies nine times at the MCG since then, all of which were have been losses. But they have beaten them in Melbourne since, three times at Victoria Park and three times at Etihad Stadium including round 16 last season.
Coach Adam Simpson was well aware of the Eagles' record against the Magpies at the MCG and he said it was very important to break the drought on Saturday.
"This game is a big game for us," Simpson said.
"Collingwood at the MCG – I think it was 1995 when we last beat the Pies at the 'G. It's a big game for us with where we are on the ladder and the continuity we're trying to get."
The race for the top four has been a game of snakes and ladders in recent weeks. The Eagles face Collingwood and Fremantle in the next fortnight before matches against Greater Western Sydney away, Hawthorn at home and Adelaide away to finish the season.
"Every win is important at the moment when it's so tight," Simpson said.
"I think there's four or five teams outside of the eight that are playing really good footy as well. There's no real drop off at the moment so every team you play is legitimately up for the fight."
Simpson acknowledged that the Eagles needed to improve despite winning their last five matches.
"We're in winning form, but probably not good form," Simpson said.
"I think we've won eight out of 10 games, so we're pretty happy with that. But clearly we can play better. We've acknowledged that. It's another opportunity this week. We've found a way to win in the last three or four weeks in particular, but we need to increase our performance, probably more from the collective, and a little bit from individuals as well. We haven't hit our straps yet."
The Eagles won last week against Melbourne despite 29 fewer inside 50s.
Simpson said the Eagles' supply to their forwards has been an issue this season. They average 52.5 entries per game, which ranks them 10th in the AFL, but they have averaged just 45.7 entries in their last seven games.
