West Coast defender Tom Cole dedicates every game to his late father and hopes his "old man" is watching his footy career from above.
Cole's father Russell died in March following a four-month battle with liver and bowel cancer.
The news was shattering for Cole, who had been selected for the season-opening clash with Sydney but missed the game in order to spend time grieving with his family.
Cole hasn't missed a game since returning to the side in round five, playing a vital role in defence shutting down some of the competition's best small forwards.
The 21-year-old said his father continued to motivate him.
"I am proud of what I've achieved this year. It's a bit of a motivating factor everything that's happened," Cole said.
"I play for my old man. It's hard that he's not watching (at the game) but I know he's up there watching somewhere."
Cole said his dad had a huge influence on his career, especially in a courage sense.
"That was one of the main bits of advice from my old man - just keep my head over the ball," Cole said.
"You don't want to look soft out there.
"You get a lot of advice throughout your footy career from everyone but I listened to what dad had to say.
"He was pretty important. Deep down he would have been proud of what I achieved."
Cole could get the key job of shutting down Dockers star Michael Walters in Sunday's western derby at Optus Stadium.
It was a job Cole performed in the round-six derby before Walters injured his knee in the first quarter.
West Coast are almost certain to be without Josh Kennedy for a second straight week following an unlucky training mishap.
Kennedy was on track to play against the Kangaroos last week before copping a knee to the shin from Cole.
"I didn't even know I did that until we looked at the vision after training," Cole said.
"It was just one of those things during training - we have knocks.
"But he forgave me pretty quick. I shouted him a coffee so we're all good now. Hopefully we get him back pretty soon."
Fremantle forward Matt Taberner, who booted three goals in the WAFL last weekend in his return from a broken foot, could earn an AFL call-up for the derby.
But Harley Bennell's chances of a senior recall for the derby are over after he strained his left calf in the WAFL on Saturday, possibly ruling him out for the rest of the year.
Luke Shuey (personal reasons) and Lewis Jetta (calf) are on track to return as West Coast attempt to rebound from their 40-point loss to North Melbourne.
