West Coast coach Adam Simpson is confident his team won’t be too top-heavy when they take on Carlton in forecast wet and windy conditions on Sunday.
Up to 40mm of rain is forecast for Perth on Sunday, as well as possible storms.
That’s bad news for the Eagles, who have struggled in wet or dewy conditions in the past.
West Coast feature one of the tallest forward lines in the competition.
Josh Kennedy (196cm) and Jack Darling (191cm) are the two main targets, with help from Oscar Allen (194cm) and Jake Waterman (192cm).
The combination has worked well in recent weeks, helping West Coast post five consecutive wins.
But whether it will succeed in the wet remains to be seen.
Simpson has left the door slightly ajar to make a late change to the team, but he doesn’t think having four tall forwards will be a problem.
“We’ve got reasonable size, but they’re pretty well equipped in the wet we think,” Simpson said ahead of the clash at Optus Stadium.
“They’re not exactly 200cm-type players. Oscar Allen is our second ruck and he’s our third tall forward for us, and Jake Waterman is 191cm, so they’re more utilities than talls.
“We think we’ve got the balance to get it done in the wet, but we’ll wait and see on the day. At the moment we’ll back in what we’ve got.”
Carlton coach David Teague is embracing the forecast wet weather.
“I have to admit our boys like it,” Teague said.
“We do love playing in the wet.
“We have adapted reasonably well in the past, and if it’s wet this week, then we need to make sure we adapt and we put our head over the ball and get the ball going our way.”
The Blues led Hawthorn 31-0 last week before falling to a 31-point loss.
Star Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps was one of few players who stood up and Teague wants more of an even effort.
“I think the message (to the players) was we don’t rely on one,” Teague said.
“Last week we didn’t have a good game as a team. We had too many players who didn’t play their role.
“We don’t need Patrick Cripps to get a heap of the ball.”
West Coast are hopeful both Jeremy McGovern (thumb) and Liam Ryan (hamstring) will be given the green light to play.
The Blues are hoping to welcome back forward Mitch McGovern from a hamstring injury.

