DUMPED Greater Western Sydney big man Jon Patton has to become a damaging multi-dimensional player to earn back his spot in coach Leon Cameron's side. 

Patton will play in the NEAFL on Saturday after being dropped for the Giants' massive round eight clash with West Coast at Spotless Stadium, and Cameron said the power forward has taken his demotion well. 

The 24-year-old former No.1 draft pick has struggled for form in 2018 after producing a career-best 45 goals last year to be the Giants' equal leading goalkicker with Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene.

But the move of Rory Lobb into the ruck to combat the retirement of Shane Mumford has meant Patton has replaced Lobb as the Giants' back-up, and he's had little impact this season. 

With just four goals and 30 marks from seven games, Cameron admits playing two roles could be behind Patton's lack of impact inside 50 but refused to use it as an excuse.

"If his ruck craft is heading in the right direction, is that to the detriment of his forward play? You could definitely say that," he said.

"But players have to be able to play two or three positions. 

"We've been rapt with some of the ruck stuff that Jon has been able to produce, but he knows he's got to be able to do both at the same time.

"I'm really confident it's just a form thing and players go through it every week.

"He'll bounce back and we're right behind him."

The Eagles received a blow during the week when star ruckman Nic Naitanui was controversially suspended for his tackle on Port Adelaide's Karl Amon, and Lobb's return after missing four weeks with a knee injury couldn't have come at a better time for the home side.

But Cameron said that while West Coast will no doubt miss its No.1 ruckman, he's not expecting Lobb and Lachie Keeffe to dominate at centre bounces, and around the ground. 

"I can understand that from the outside people would look at that, but from the inside we don't," he said.

"Naitanui is obviously an A-grade ruckman, everyone can attest to that, but (Scott) Lycett is in outstanding form. 

"Their combination in there is one of the reasons they've won their last six games, and Lycett has had a big say in that."