TAMING wounded Tiger Dustin Martin is too big a task to leave to just one West Coast player in Saturday afternoon's clash at the MCG, according to forward Josh Hill.
Martin has started the season on fire, averaging 29 disposals and booting six goals in a more dangerous role stationed inside 50 for longer periods.
The powerful 25-year-old looms as the major stumbling block for West Coast to maintain its undefeated start.
However, Hill believes the Eagles have a range of defenders strong enough to stand up to the "scary" Richmond star in one-on-one battles – if Martin is cleared to play after suffering a fractured cheekbone in the round two win over Collingwood.
West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn would seem to have the physicality and smarts to match-up on Martin, while Hill nominated Sharrod Wellingham, Jeremy McGovern and Brad Sheppard as other candidates.
"I'd back any of our defenders to take him on because I'm pretty trusting in our defence that they can get the job done in the big moments," Hill said.
"I think it's just that palm-off he's got (that makes Martin so hard to defend). He can definitely make a statement with it and he can kick a goal from just about anywhere on the field, he can torp it almost 80 metres.
"He's a scary player to watch and I think we'll all be able to adjust, if he tries to palm us off (we'll) try to run him down.
"We'll try to take him down as a team."
West Coast will travel to the home of football for the first of only two games at the Grand Final venue this season.
The Eagles have a patchy recent record at the 'G, winning three of their seven games during Adam Simpson's tenure as coach, and Hill is relishing the chance to return to the venue.
"It is definitely important to win (there). In front of big crowds we have to be able to adjust to different situations, especially with finals (played there) and how big the crowd and atmosphere is," he said.
"It's good for us to get a bit of experience and adapt to things like that."
The Eagles will head to Melbourne 2-0 after escaping with victory over St Kilda, despite never hitting the front until the 21-minute mark of the final term.
Hill was a vital player in the dying stages, snapping a brilliant major midway through the final term before booting the go-ahead goal after marking a tumbling ball and converting from close range.
"I don't really look at the scoreboard or how much time is left," Hill said.
"When that footy was in the air I just thought 'where's JK (Josh Kennedy), is he going to mark it?'.
"I got the footy and ended up kicking the goal.
"When the runner comes out and gives you the message there's a few minutes to go you get a bit nervous, but you've just got to keep focusing on what your role is."
