West Coast coach John Worsfold is confident Daniel Kerr's demons of old have not returned despite frustration appearing to get the better of the star Eagle in last week's AFL loss to Collingwood.

Kerr copped two separate three-week suspensions last year, one of which arose after he headbutted Bulldogs veteran Scott West.

The 26-year-old promised to clean up his act at the start of the season but seemed to slip back into his bad old ways against the 'Pies, headbutting Tarkyn Lockyer in the back after the ball had gone out of bounds.

The AFL match review panel assessed the incident but deemed the force of impact was not sufficient to dish out a suspension.

Kerr, who gathered 26 possessions but made eight clangers against the 'Pies, was clearly frustrated throughout the night, even giving teammate David Wirrpanda a spray when the veteran's slack marking allowed Leon Davis a free shot on goal from 50m.

However, Worsfold was adamant Kerr had not let emotions get the better of him.

"Yes we've spoken to him and he's feeling well and truly in control and feels as though his best form is not far away," Worsfold said on Tuesday.

"He found a fair bit of the football but he was disappointed with his use of it the other night.

"But he's working pretty hard.

"It's no excuse but with his groin injury he hadn't really been able to kick the ball at training for a few weeks so he was certainly rusty going into the game, but he'll be better this week."

Worsfold admitted his charges weren't "switched on mentally" against the 'Pies and said he was likely to make at least two changes for Friday night's crunch clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

Adam Hunter will come under strong consideration after missing the past two weeks nursing his reconstructed shoulder, while veteran Tyson Stenglein and Ashley Hansen are others in the selection mix.

Forward Mark LeCras is certain to return after missing last week's game with gastroenteritis.

Carlton will be without key defender Jarrad Waite, who will miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee against Adelaide.

Worsfold again stressed that his young Eagles outfit, currently 13th on the ladder with a 3-6 record, were on the right track for future success.

"If they want to have a side that might finish ninth or 10th for five years in a row, we could manufacture that," he said.

"But if they want a team that can potentially win a premiership within five or six years of their previous premiership, that's what we're aiming for.

"We've got a strong focus on that and we are prepared to wear some pain heading towards that.

"So we've got a big picture of more imminent success than just being a run-of-the-mill side for a long period."

Meanwhile, exciting midfielder Adam Cockie has been demoted back to the club's rookie list despite playing the past four games in the senior side.

Luke Shuey's recovery from his lengthy groin complaint meant the Eagles had to return either Cockie or Ryan Davis back to the rookie list, with Davis surviving the cut.

Shuey, taken with pick No.18 in last year's national draft, is expected to resume in the WAFL this weekend.

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