Eagles forwards crave more action

West Coast forward Josh Kennedy kicked five goals in the loss to Hawthorn. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast power forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling are frustrated, and it's easy to understand why.

Kennedy has been in formidable form this season, with his ability to regularly bring down pack marks giving West Coast a major focal point up forward.

Darling has also looked dangerous at times, but he and Kennedy have been starved of opportunities in AFL losses to Fremantle and Hawthorn.

The combined inside-50m count in those games was 123-75 against West Coast, with the Eagles' forward line simply not having enough opportunities to kick a winning score.

Kennedy, who booted five goals from 11 possessions against the Hawks, conceded the absence of ruckman Nic Naitanui and Daniel Kerr in the midfield had hurt the team's ability to get the ball forward.

But the 25-year-old was confident the team could turn that trend around, starting with Saturday's clash with struggling Melbourne at the MCG.

"We're winning clearances but we're not getting it directly inside 50," Kennedy said.

"We're just not getting enough purchase on our kicks.

"We're going a bit too wide. It's something we'll focus on."

Darling, who kicked three goals from eight disposals against Hawthorn, echoed those sentiments.

"It's a bit frustrating," he said. "We just haven't had much clean ball movement inside 50.

"So once we get that happening we can work for each other with our blocking and leading patterns, and have the opportunity."

West Coast defender Eric Mackenzie will miss his second straight match due to a hamstring injury, but forward Mark LeCras is in line to make a shock return against the Demons just three weeks after breaking his arm.

LeCras, who underwent surgery to have a plate inserted into his right arm, will resume either this week or next after making a speedy recovery.

Kerr is also a chance to play after getting through a WAFL game unscathed, but the Eagles may opt to give him one more hit-out with East Fremantle to ensure his match fitness is up to scratch.

Melbourne enter the match on the back of horror showings against Port Adelaide and Essendon, with their 148-point loss to the Bombers heaping massive pressure on coach Mark Neeld.

But Kennedy said he hadn't bought into talk that this weekend would be a guaranteed win for the Eagles.

"No game's a guarantee, unless they don't rock up. We haven't won a game this year either, so we're both in the same boat," he said.
 

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