The West Coats Eagles have called upon in-form forwards Jake Waterman and Jack Patruccelle to their side to take on the Demons on Sunday.

Waterman (six goals) and Petruccelle (five goals) were key factors in the WAFL Eagles’ win over West Perth at Mineral Resources Park at the weekend and come in to replace the injured Jamie Cripps (abductor) and Nic Naitanui (ankle).

Adam Simpson and his match committee have settled on Tom Hickey leading the ruck with Oscar Allen assisting him.

Adam Simpson was wary of Melbourne’s ability despite their position on the ladder.

“We only played them, I think, eight or nine weeks ago. I think we may have been 18 points down late in the third or early in the last, so we know exactly what they’re going to do,” Simpson said.

“Trying to stop them at their best is really difficult and there’s been periods this year where they’ve done it for three or four quarters straight and really troubled sides. So I don’t think their ladder position really indicate where they’re at as a team.

“They’ve got good players back and on paper they look as strong as they’re been for a while.”

The Eagles will take emerging big man Bailey Williams and dashing defender Francis Watson as emergencies for the club’s first trip to Alice Springs for premiership points.