West Coast defender Eric Mackenzie is confident the Eagles can cause some finals carnage if they can make it, saying an elimination final against either Fremantle or Port Adelaide holds no fears.

The battle for eighth spot reaches a climax this weekend as West Coast, Richmond, Adelaide and Collingwood jostle each other for a finals berth.

If West Coast beats Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Sunday, and Richmond and Collingwood lose as expected, then the Eagles will finish eighth as long as their percentage is better than Adelaide’s.

West Coast (114.7 per cent) are currently in the box seat in that regard, but the Crows (110.2) have the chance to give their percentage a healthy boost when they take on last-placed St Kilda at Adelaide Oval.

The Eagles have worked their way into good form during the second half of the season, winning six of their past 10 games to storm back into the finals mix.

And with Scott Selwood (ankle), Elliot Yeo (hand) and Nic Naitanui (Achilles tendon) all in line to return this week, Mackenzie said the Eagles had the potential to cause some September upsets if they can get there.

“The way we have played the second half of the year has really shown that’s the kind of footy we want to be playing, and I reckon we can do some damage in finals with that,” Mackenzie said on Monday.

“It’s looking like either Freo or Port Adelaide (in an elimination final). We’re a chance to beat either side, I think.

“Adelaide Oval is a good place to play. I wouldn’t mind playing there in front of 50,000 people. Though a home derby would be the first Derby final we’ve ever had.”

West Coast are set to wait until after the season before deciding on who should replace the retired Darren Glass as full-time captain.

Selwood, Shannon Hurn, Matt Priddis, Mackenzie and Josh Kennedy have all been given chances to shine in the role this season.

Mackenzie is tipped to win his first All-Australian jumper after producing an outstanding season in defence, but the 26-year-old isn’t sure if the Eagles’ captaincy is the best fit for him.

“It’s never something I set out to achieve really, but if it comes my way I’m happy to take that responsibility on,” Mackenzie said.

“I don’t know if it’s something for me. I never saw myself as a leader previously until this year.”