Essendon are breathing a sigh of relief, with star West Coast forward Mark LeCras ruled out of Saturday's crunch AFL clash at Etihad Stadium.
LeCras is yet to recover from the calf injury that grounded him before last week's 60-point win over Collingwood.
The 27-year-old's absence is a big plus for Essendon, who have struggled to deal with the 2010 All-Australian in recent years.
LeCras has booted 40 goals in his 11 appearances against Essendon - by far his best return against any club in the competition.
His most memorable appearance came in round 16 in 2010, when he booted 12.2 in a 32-point win over the Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
Saturday's re-match at the same venue shapes as a virtual elimination final for the Eagles, who have clawed their way back into the top-eight hunt following successive wins against Adelaide and the Magpies.
West Coast sit in 11th spot, but are just one win adrift of the eighth-placed Bombers, whose finals credentials are looking shaky following back-to-back losses.
Essendon's turmoil off the field could also derail their on-field fortunes.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson confirmed Nic Naitanui would play despite ongoing soreness issues.
And retiring ruckman Dean Cox is also set to feature as West Coast stick with the three-ruckmen policy that served them so well against Collingwood last week.
The Eagles' past two games have been their best performances of the season, but Simpson warned his players against complacency.
"We have played two good games in a row. I hope the players don't think that's any type of achievement really," Simpson said on Thursday.
"They are events at the moment. We need to make it a pattern.
"They should have confidence about what we have achieved, but I don't think they are satisfied.
"Every week's potentially our last game where we are available for finals, so we just have to win to be alive."
The Bombers were dealt a massive blow when swingman Jake Carlisle was ruled out due to back spasms.
His loss was offset by the return of Essendon skipper Jobe Watson and defender Michael Hibberd from injury, while Patrick Ambrose and 21-year-old debutant Ariel Steinberg were also called into the side.
Orazio Fantasia, Cory Dell'Olio and Elliott Kavanagh were all omitted following the team's loss to Richmond.
West Coast made just the one change, replacing injured defender Xavier Ellis with Simon Tunbridge.
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