WEST Coast wants North Melbourne to experience the same intimidation from the Domain Stadium crowd in the preliminary final as Hawthorn did a fortnight ago, according to Eagles defender Will Schofield.
Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis said the Hawks were overawed and intimidated by the crowd during their 32-point loss in the qualifying final that saw the Eagles secure a week off and a home preliminary final.
Schofield said he hoped fans could replicate similar levels of noise to intimidate the Kangaroos on Saturday.
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"I'm looking forward to hearing them," Schofield said on Wednesday.
"The Hawthorn game was the loudest I've heard it for a long time.
"Hopefully we can step it up again, because it is intimidating. I've played in Melbourne against North Melbourne, Collingwood, big teams, and it's intimidating playing against loud crowds.
"I'm excited for that and I know the other boys are as well."
The Eagles are set to field their strongest side of the season this week.
Matt Priddis (quad) and Chris Masten (hamstring) are likely to return after missing the qualifying final.
Schofield said he was feeling fresh after a week off and has had no problems with the hamstring injury that kept him out of three matches in the lead-up to the qualifying final.
He also said key defender Jeremy McGovern was in good shape despite battling ongoing soreness in his left AC joint.
"I've heard [the term] 'plasticine man' thrown around a little bit," McGovern said.
"He [McGovern] seems fine to me. He was a bit sore the last game we had, but a week off does wonders and I think he's been able to look after his body and I think he's been feeling pretty good."
West Coast is hot favourites to beat North Melbourne despite the fact the Eagles have not beaten the Kangaroos under Adam Simpson.
North were victorious at Domain Stadium in round 11 last year and also ended the Eagles' six-game winning streak in round 10 this season with victory in Hobart.
Schofield said the favourites tag carried no weight in finals.
"I don't think that means too much in finals," Schofield said.
"I think the Sydney Swans were favourites going into [last week] and North gets up and wins.
"North will be coming over here to play their best footy and so will we. Second and eighth on the ladder doesn't really come into it too much."
