There are no guarantees in football, but West Coast coach John Worsfold knows one thing for certain ahead of Saturday's AFL qualifying final showdown against Collingwood at the MCG.

"I would be saying there's no way Rocca's going to kick three," Worsfold said with a laugh.

For years, Worsfold has been criticised for resting skipper Darren Glass during a crucial period of West Coast's semi-final loss to Collingwood in 2007.

The Eagles led by 23 points midway through the third quarter, but the decision to give Glass a spell on the bench late in the term proved terminal to West Coast's premiership hopes.

Collingwood spearhead Anthony Rocca, who had been kept quiet by Glass up until that point, booted two quick goals from strong marks while Glass was off as the Magpies surged back into the contest.

Rocca ended up with three goals to his name as Collingwood won in extra time, handing West Coast a demoralising straight-sets finals exit.

Almost four years on from the game - and ahead of Saturday's mouthwatering re-match - Worsfold said it was too simplistic to judge his decision to rest Glass as a bad one.

"I mean if Glassy didn't come off for a rest then and he was flagged in the last quarter, then they might have kicked four and (the game wouldn't have even) gone into extra time," Worsfold said.

"So it's one of those great ironies that, in hindsight, you don't know what would have happened regardless.

"We would still back ourselves to say that Glassy needed a rest at that time and that we could have held the opposition to not score in that period when he was off."

Worsfold said the pain of that loss to Collingwood wouldn't be used to drive West Coast over the coming month.

"This is exciting times just now going forward and we won't be using any past motivation, any past games," Worsfold said.

Either Glass or Eric Mackenzie will be given first crack on star Collingwood forward Travis Cloke this weekend in what is shaping to be a pivotal match-up.

Glass was confident his team possessed a plan A, B and C to halt the prolific spearhead.

"He's an extremely talented player," Glass said.

"He's got a booming left-foot kick, great contested mark. I think he leads the AFL in that area.

"He's a really tough match-up. But I think we've got a bit of depth and a bit of flexibility in our backline with (Will) Schofield if he comes back in.

"So Schofield, Mackenzie and myself, we can all match up on him at different times and he can see some different looks."

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