WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson isn't ruling out selection bolter Willie Rioli from making a stunning debut in Saturday night's elimination final against Port Adelaide.
Rioli was recruited with pick No.52 in last year's NAB AFL Draft to help fill a need crumbing at spearhead Josh Kennedy's feet.
The electric goalsneak has battled hamstring issues but, after six games back mostly on managed minutes at WAFL level, Rioli is being considered for the trip to face the Power.
"He's missed a lot of football, 10 to 15 weeks of football, it's his first year and he's probably played one full game at East Perth," Simpson said.
"Having said all that, he's a player that we can't wait to see play. Whether it's this year or next you'll definitely see him in our senior guernsey one day."
How Rioli, who is the cousin of Hawthorn star Cyril and nephew of Hall of Famer Maurice, would handle being thrust into the cauldron of finals football is "the unknown".
But even though Simpson admitted Rioli is probably not AFL ready in terms of fitness, the 22-year-old's X-factor makes him a tempting selection gamble.
"He does carry himself pretty well. He's not laid-back, but he takes it as it comes," he said.
"Anyone who has seen him play at the lower level knows he's unique. So if he does play, that's what he needs to bring."
The Eagles held a closed training session on Saturday and have closely reviewed last season's preparations over the bye week after they were ambushed by the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final.
That 47-point defeat came after a 46-point humbling from Hawthorn in the 2015 Grand Final, but captain Shannon Hurn didn't believe those failings would weigh on the players' minds heading to Adelaide.
"When you play footy you want to play finals, which we're managing to do, and you want to be able to play well," Hurn said.
"We haven't been able to do that that well the past two games.
"But I just think that you can't worry about that.
"It is finals and it is different for sure, you've got to play better, there's a bit more quickness and physicality around the game.
"But we've just got to go out there and play well, play as a team, make sure we get prepared well at training this week.
"If we do that, I think we'll be fine."
Adelaide Oval has been a happy hunting ground for the Eagles, who have won five of their six clashes at the venue, including all three against the Power.
West Coast is seemingly suited by the narrow dimensions – which are similar to Domain Stadium – but Simpson believed strong preparation has been the key to success at the venue.
"We'll reflect on (previous performances) a little bit, but they're just memories," Simpson said.
"I think what we take out of it is our prep. In the past our Adelaide trips have been pretty good.
"To say the ground suits us or all those things, it's not irrelevant but it's not our focus."
