West Coast coach Adam Simpson isn’t banking on the hot Perth conditions to give his team a crucial advantage in their preliminary final showdown against Melbourne at Optus Stadium.
A top of 25 degrees is forecast for Perth on Saturday, with the 1.20pm local bouncedown ensuring the teams will slug it out during the hottest part of the day.
The Eagles have become accustomed to training and playing in warmer weather.
But Simpson knows the Demons have had some practice in that area this year as well.
The Demons thrashed Adelaide in hot conditions in Alice Springs in round 10, and they crushed Fremantle by 54 points in humid conditions in Darwin.
Melbourne also beat West Coast in sunny conditions in Perth five weeks ago, with the Demons booting the last three goals of the game to steal victory.
Simpson said seeing Melbourne play well in hot conditions this year meant his players might not have a noticeable advantage in that area.
“I don’t know. It might be a factor, but that’s not in our planning,” Simpson said.
The winner of Saturday’s match will book a spot in next week’s grand final.
Simpson is confident his player group are mature enough not to get carried away by the chance that awaits them.
“You’ve just got to embrace your thoughts,” Simpson said.
“We’ve been pretty on-task this year. We’ve had a fair bit of adversity on and off the field.
“They’re a pretty mature group, so the expectations are you have thoughts now, but when it gets time to switch on, you switch on.”
West Coast have recalled veteran defender Will Schofield to replace Brad Sheppard (hamstring), while Melbourne axed Bayley Fritsch in favour of Joel Smith.
Simpson said the contested ball battle would be crucial against the Demons.
Melbourne are ranked No.1 in that area, but Simpson is backing his team to give a good effort.