Eagles' Mackenzie thrown to the 'Dogs
West Coast coach John Worsfold has backed Eric Mackenzie to bounce back from last week's AFL shocker against Richmond's Jack Riewoldt, nominating the defender for a job on Bulldogs forward Barry Hall on Sunday.
Mackenzie had a day to forget in the Eagles' 49-point loss to the Tigers, conceding four goals by midway through the opening term before he was relieved of his duties on Riewoldt.
Riewoldt finished the match with 10 goals and Worsfold believed he may have erred by taking Mackenzie off the young Tigers forward.
"He ended up kicking 10, he might have only stayed with five if we left Eric there for the whole game," Worsfold said.
"So maybe it was a blue moving him. I'm serious."
Hall has booted 23 goals in his past five matches and 43 for the season to sit second in the Coleman Medal race behind Jack Riewoldt.
With Eagles skipper Darren Glass an unlikely starter against the Bulldogs due to an ongoing groin complaint, Worsfold said Mackenzie was a chance to be given first crack on Hall.
"Eric got towelled up early (against Riewoldt) but do you sack a guy from his whole career, never play him on a tall player again because he got beaten by one?" Worsfold asked.
"Eric's played on Riewoldt - the other one (Nick) - and done all right.
"He's played on Jonathan Brown and done really well for us. We are confident Eric can bounce back.
"I'd back him in that if he got beaten in the first two contests he'd fight back and win the next one." Midfielder Adam Selwood is a strong chance to return from a shoulder complaint but Tom Swift (illness) and Mark Nicoski (shoulder) will definitely miss.
Worsfold said Koby Stevens was in line to make his AFL debut after another strong showing at WAFL level, while Quinten Lynch was also in the selection frame.
The Eagles are desperate to end their four-game losing streak after recent speculation surrounding the future of Worsfold and also the club's hierarchy.
West Coast have beaten the Bulldogs in five of the past six meetings at Subiaco Oval, with the Bulldogs' only win in that time a nine-point victory in 2006.
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