It’s the smother no one at West Coast will forget – except the AFL player who did it.

Defender Eric Mackenzie was knocked out cold after accidentally using his head to smother a Rhys Stanley kick in the Eagles’ pre-season victory over St Kilda last month.

Mackenzie can’t remember the incident or the moments leading up to it, but is quick to joke about the effectiveness of his method.

“I smothered the ball out of bounds, so it’s a win,” Mackenzie said with a laugh.

“I just remember waking up downstairs.

“I’ve seen the vision and it didn’t look pretty.

“I pulled up pretty well for it. I got up for next week.”

Mackenzie is earmarked to play a key role in Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at Patersons Stadium.

The 23-year-old expects to be given the job of manning Melbourne key forward Mitch Clark, who tallied just 10 possessions and two belated goals in his Demons debut last week.

Although Darren Glass remains West Coast’s premier defender, Eagles coach John Worsfold has been more than comfortable giving Mackenzie the opposition’s best key forward.

The tactic worked well for the Eagles last season, allowing Glass to come off his man more often to help out his teammates.

“I’m learning plenty off Glassy. He always gives me a tip or two out there about what I’m doing right, so he’s been very helpful,” Mackenzie said.

“His best tip has been palming off all the big guys onto me.

“I love playing on the big boys. It gives Glassy a break and he can chop me out as well, so it’s enjoyable.

“He often floats across and goes third man up, so it helps the team an awful lot him being able to do that because he reads the ball so well.”