Eagles ready to confront bogey team Hawks

West Coast haven't beaten Hawthorn away from Perth since 2006 but the Eagles are perfectly placed to end that losing run in their AFL clash at Etihad Stadium.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson.

West Coach coach Adam Simpson is confident the Eagles are well placed to beat bogey side Hawthorn. (AAP)

There'll be more than just four points on the line for superstitious West Coast fans when they watch their side do battle against Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.

The Eagles have shot into premiership contention following eight straight wins, with the hot run giving them a one-game buffer on top of the AFL table heading into round 10.

But they will have to overcome bogey team Hawthorn on Sunday if they want to keep that winning run going.

West Coast haven't beaten Hawthorn outside Perth since round 14, 2006, when they defeated the Hawks by 10 points at the MCG.

The Eagles went on to win the flag that year and West Coast fans will hope for a similar outcome in 2018.

West Coast's 10-game losing streak against the Hawks away from home includes five losses at the MCG, four at Tasmania's York Park and one at Etihad Stadium.

But coach Adam Simpson isn't reading too much into that record, especially after seeing his team win all three interstate games so far this season.

"Everyone's talking about our record against Hawthorn, can we win in Melbourne, all those things," Simpson said.

"They'll be there forever because it's hard to win on the road for anyone.

"We understand the challenge, understand the record but we are embracing it at the moment."

Hawthorn have welcomed back James Frawley (shoulder) and Jaeger O'Meara (calf) after the duo missed last week's shock 56-point loss to Brisbane.

West Coast have named an unchanged line-up from the team that smashed Richmond by 47 points last week, with Luke Shuey to miss a third straight game due to a hamstring injury.

Simpson revealed luckless defender Eric Mackenzie could return to WAFL ranks next month after his long recovery from stress fractures in both feet.

Mackenzie is set to join in with the main group at training next week but he faces a major fight to win back a senior spot this season.

Hawthorn slipped out of the top eight following their shock loss to Brisbane but Simpson expects Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson will have some tricks up his sleeve to unleash this week.

EAGLES V HAWKS OUTSIDE PERTH SINCE 2006

Round 5, 2017 - Hawks 19.11 (125) bt Eagles 11.9 (75) at MCG

Round 2, 2016 - Hawks 14.15 (99) bt Eagles 7.11 (53) at MCG

Grand Final, 2015 - Hawks 16.11 (107) bt Eagles 8.13 (61) at MCG

Round 12, 2014 - Hawks 19.9 (123) bt Eagles 12.7 (79) at York Park

Round 13, 2013 - Hawks 19.9 (123) bt Eagles 16.7 (103) at Etihad Stadium

Round 23, 2012 - Hawks 14.11 (95) bt Eagles 10.10 (70) at MCG

Round 4, 2011 - Hawks 10.12 (72) bt Eagles 9.11 (65) at York Park

Round 5, 2009 - Hawks 11.8 (74) bt Eagles 7.14 (56) at York Park

Round 14, 2008 - Hawks 18.18 (126) bt Eagles 9.15 (69) at MCG

Round 9, 2007 - Hawks 15.9 (99) bt Eagles 8.16 (64) at York Park

Round 14, 2006 - Eagles 17.12 (114) bt Hawks 16.8 (104) at MCG


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