Where and when: Subiaco Oval, Sunday, May 10, 2.40pm
Head to head: West Coast Eagles 23, Melbourne 14
Last time: Melbourne 11.13 (79) d West Coast 5.15 (45), round 20, 2008 at MCG

MISSING IN ACTION
West Coast
Beau Waters (elbow) – season
Brent Staker (hand) – 6 weeks
Luke Shuey (groin) – 4 weeks
Josh Kennedy (eye) –available

Melbourne
Mark Jamar (foot) – test
Paul Wheatley (quadriceps tear) – 2 weeks
Brad Green (broken jaw) – 2-3 weeks
Colin Garland (foot) – indefinite
Sam Blease (leg) – indefinite

FORM
West Coast: WLL
Melbourne: WLL

SUMMARY
Aside from one shocker against St Kilda in round three, West Coast has managed two wins and three narrow losses (at an average losing margin of 13 points) in 2009. The blue and gold's victories over Port Adelaide by 50 points in round two and the Western Bulldogs by 33 points in round four were impressive efforts.

Last round's loss to cross-town rival Fremantle was disappointing, considering West Coast had 29 scoring shots (and managed just nine goals) to 22. Still, for a team decimated by injury in 2007/08, West Coast has shown some promising signs this year, although consistency remains one of its biggest concerns. 

After a miserable 2008, Melbourne has shown some improvement so far this year, despite entering round seven in 16th position and with just one win to its name. The Demons were competitive against the brilliant Geelong last Sunday and also gave Adelaide a fright in a low-scoring encounter in round five.

Although Melbourne's average losing margin has been 41 points, it is a far better result than the same stage last year when it had not won a game and was dropping matches by an average of 10 goals.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Dean Cox (West Coast)
Cox has again been the dominant ruckman in the competition, with his ability to win hit outs and amass possessions second to none. Only another in-form teammate, Matt Priddis, has had more disposals than Cox at the club so far this season. Cox has also had more kicks and marks than any other Eagle this season.

Aaron Davey (Melbourne)
'Flash' has been Melbourne's best player this season, shining across half-back as a rebounding and run-and-carry player. His pin-point accuracy by foot has been a feature of his game, as has been his ability to win more of the ball. Since round two, Davey has been in Melbourne's best two players each week.

QUESTION MARKS
Aside from its derby loss to Fremantle last Saturday, West Coast has impressed considerably at home so far this year. Is West Coast turning Subiaco back into the fortress it once was for visiting teams?      

Melbourne has not defeated West Coast at Subiaco since round 19, 2002. Will this be the match where the Demons break their drought?  

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Demons have a mighty task ahead of them – attempting to win at Subiaco Oval for the first time since round 11, 2004, when they defeated Fremantle, and trying to overcome West Coast on its home turf for the first time in seven years. West Coast's fine form at the ground this season suggests the developing Demons will be up against it. On top of that, the Dees have not won outside of Victoria since round 14, 2006.

PREDICTION
West Coast by 30 points.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.