WEST Coast skipper Shannon Hurn has downplayed talk the Eagles hold a psychological advantage over Fremantle as they set their sights on equalling the all-time Western Derby winning streak.

The 50th clash between the bitter crosstown rivals will have added importance this Saturday night, with both sides jockeying for finals positions.  

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But Hurn wasn't buying into suggestions an eight-game winning run – one shy of West Coast's 9-0 streak after the Dockers entered the competition in 1995 – meant his side had the mental edge.   

"I don't think so. They must have won six or seven in a row against us (before) as well," Hurn said.

"You always understand that those games are close, and I still think they are, and that will be no different this week.

"I don't think there's that psychological thing against certain teams.

"No doubt we'll have to play well because even though they haven't won their last two, they've certainly been in and around games all year, so we understand it's going to be a hard game." 

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At 10-4, the Eagles are in the hunt for a top-two spot, and will have a near full-strength side available with key defensive pillars Jeremy McGovern (suspension) and Tom Barrass (corked calf) set to return. 

Hurn relished having Nic Naitanui back in the line-up in a tense six-point victory over Hawthorn at the MCG last round.

Naitanui was crucial during the final term, helping the Eagles win centre clearances 6-1 in combination with dominant onballer Luke Shuey.  

Nic Naitanui wins a hitout against Hawk Ben McEvoy on Saturday. Picture: AFL Photos

The star ruckman could reprise his rivalry with Aaron Sandilands if Freo swings a selection surprise and brings the veteran back for his first game this year from calf issues.

Hurn was wary of the Dockers on the rebound from a shock loss to Carlton, and expected a hot start with Fremantle clinging to eighth spot.

The premiership captain, set for a second successive All Australian jacket, relishes the contest and has owned Western Derbies recently, claiming the Glendinning-Allan Medal in three of the past four games.  

"In the past few years I reckon the ball has been down back a bit too much for my liking, it would be nice if it was down the other end," Hurn said.

"Personally, I've been trying to play team football. That's the go. Some days it's your turn, some days it's not."

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Hurn expected Andrew Gaff would be booed in the first Fremantle home derby since his infamous hit on Andrew Brayshaw, but doubted the prolific wingman would be put off his game.

"There will probably be a few cheers and a couple of boos going on, but I think what Gaffy has been able to do is throughout all this year is play his best football and he can block that out," he said.

"I think what him and Brayshaw have been able to do is handle it quite well. Those two players just want to get on and play football." 

Hurn said Nathan Vardy was spoken to after his taunt about the incident at training recently reignited the feeling between the clubs, but there had been no punishment for the big man.

Vardy went down with a knee injury playing in the WAFL on Saturday but the former Cat is confident he has not ruptured his ACL ahead of scan results.