Emerging West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey says he won't kick up a fuss if he doesn't win this year's AFL Rising Star award, claiming a finals berth for the Eagles would be a far greater reward.

Shuey's first two years at West Coast were devastated by injuries, but the 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakout 2011 campaign, averaging 20 possessions a game to go with his 17 goals.

The No.18 pick from the 2008 national draft, who is being groomed as a midfield successor to Daniel Kerr, showcased his class in Sunday's one-point derby win over Fremantle, tallying 26 possessions along with his crucial final-quarter goal.

Shuey is second favourite behind Essendon's Dyson Heppell to take out the Rising Star award.

But with the Eagles just two points adrift of fourth spot, Shuey said team success heavily outweighed individual honours.

"It would be a nice accolade (if I won the Rising Star award)," Shuey said on Monday.

"Obviously, to be mentioned with some of the guys that have won in recent years, like Joel Selwood, to be put alongside those names would be a fair honour.

"But I won't be kicking a tantrum if I don't win it, that's for sure.

"At the end of the day, if you start focusing on those sorts of things, you lose sight of what your role is in the team.

"At the moment, the reason for our success this year is we've had 22 blokes that haven't had an aim for individual success. We just want to play finals at the end of the day."

West Coast's top-four credentials face a challenging test against the unpredictable Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Shuey booted five goals in the Eagles' 123-point win over the Bulldogs in Perth in round nine, but Rodney Eade's charges have since shown more fight despite still languishing in 12th spot on the ladder.

"They've come a long way since we last played them. It definitely won't be a 123-point win like it was last time," Shuey said.

"We've had some really good form away from home this year ... and if we're going to be a real challenger come September, we'll probably need to win this week. It's a great challenge for us but we're confident.

"It certainly is a goal (to finish top four), and it would make finals a lot easier."

West Coast gave away three 50m penalties that resulted in goals by the Dockers on Sunday, with Eagles coach John Worsfold voicing some concern about the undisciplined acts that have plagued his team in recent weeks.

"There were some really disappointing aspects in the game for us like 50-metre (penalty) goals against and, early on, a couple of their goals were from kick-ins," Worsfold said.

"There's heaps to learn from it and to know that we need to get a bit better again from it."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP