RICHMOND is the AFL's measuring stick and if West Coast wants to be considered a contender the Eagles have to prove themselves by beating the reigning premiers, recruit Brendon Ah Chee says.
The Tigers sit atop the table with a 7-1 record, but are only percentage ahead of surprise packet West Coast, with both sides two games clear of the chasing pack.
The evolving Eagles have swept all before them since losing to Sydney in round one, and have answered some doubters with victories over finals contenders Port Adelaide and GWS in consecutive weeks.
But taking on the rampant Tigers at Optus Stadium will be another step up in class.
"It's going to be awesome. We've been building to a really big challenge like this," Ah Chee said.
"You can't be the best unless you beat the best and Richmond are the best in the competition, so we look forward to that and hopefully we can get 60,000 people to come and have an amazing atmosphere and get us across the line."
Ah Chee was one of four inclusions for the Giants clash, with many believing the Eagles would struggle on the road without key players Nic Naitanui (suspension), Luke Shuey (hamstring) and Jeremy McGovern (calf).
But West Coast has learnt the value of role players from the Tigers' remarkable run to last year's flag, and barely missed a beat in a comfortable 25-point triumph.
"They won the premiership last year off the back of having 22 blokes just do what they're asked to do and supposed to do," Ah Chee said.
"It's not having superstars across the field, it's just having blokes that are really, really, really accountable and disciplined in their role, which is where I guess AFL is going in the next couple of years is not relying on three or four people to get the job done.
"It's 22 players playing their role, and that's something we've learnt over the last couple of weeks and continue to learn."
Ah Chee impressed in his first game since crossing from the Power in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period, picking up 21 touches and laying five tackles.
The big-bodied 24-year-old added some grunt after a delayed start to the season due to an ankle injury, and said competition for spots was driving the Eagles.
McGovern, Dom Sheed (foot) and Lewis Jetta (calf) could all be in the mix to return this round, with Naitanui also set to return and Shuey not far away.
After coming to West Coast on a one-year deal, at his request, Ah Chee was frustrated sitting on the sidelines for seven weeks recovering from his ankle issue, but there was a silver lining.
"I think it was good just to have time to think about how much I really want it," he said.
He hasn't thought about his contract situation yet, but is determined to prove himself after just 27 games in six years at Port.
"I think I'm at that stage where I was all or nothing," Ah Chee said.
"I have confidence in my ability and how I can perform, I know it's there it's just more bringing it out and proving to everyone else that I can do that and hopefully setting myself up as an Eagle for a long time."
