West Coast coach John Worsfold is already thinking finals football after watching his charges complete an intra-club hit-out at Subiaco Oval on Friday.

The Eagles won just four games last season and finished second last on the table as injuries to key players took their toll.

But Worsfold is adamant the Eagles can make a return to the top eight in 2009.

"I'm really pleased with the hit-out, I think it was a step up from what we've been doing over the last two or three weeks that we needed to take in preparation for the NAB Cup next week," Worsfold said.

"I would say that we're on track to be a lot better, looking at that today, than we were in our games last year.

"Our aim is to be competitive in every game we play and we will be aiming to win enough games to put us around the mark to finish in the eight hopefully.

"I would love to play finals footy."

Ruckman Dean Cox and rover Daniel Kerr put in star performances in front of several hundred fans.

Kerr, in his first competitive fixture since undergoing knee surgery last year, only featured in the first half but displayed his ferocious ball-winning ability during his short stint on the field.

The 25-year-old was spoon-fed time and again by Cox's deft taps in the ruck while Matt Priddis (two goals) was also the beneficiary of Cox's dominance over Mark Seaby.

Cox, who also booted three goals, copped a heavy knock to his back in a marking contest midway through the last quarter but shook off the pain to play on.

Forward Ashley Hansen, up against a WAFL player, booted four goals, while Tony Notte popped up late in the game to finish with three goals.

Eagles defender Brett Jones, who underwent delicate knee surgery last year, was solid in his earlier-than-expected return to playing duties, while Chris Masten, on the comeback from groin surgery, impressed in a half of football.

Notable players missing from the clash were Andrew Embley, Tyson Stenglein, Beau Waters, Josh Kennedy, Adam Hunter, Scott Selwood, Nick Naitanui, Brad Ebert, Matt Rosa and Luke Shuey as they continue their rehabilitation from injury.

West Coast take on Collingwood in the NAB Cup opener at Subiaco Oval on February 7.

But the Eagles will be without defender David Wirrpanda, who has been given the green light by the club to represent the Indigenous All Stars against Adelaide next week.

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