Essendon coach John Worsfold says he's not losing sleep over his club's Perth hoodoo, and he isn't worried about the 'noise of affirmation' either.
The Bombers have lost their past seven games in Perth, aiming to snap that run on Thursday night when they play West Coast at Optus Stadium.
Six of those losses came at the long and skinny Subiaco Oval, with the other defeat coming in round two this year when Essendon lost to Fremantle by 16 points at Optus Stadium.
Last year, St Kilda coach Alan Richardson coined the term "noise of affirmation" in relation to umpires potentially being influenced by the crowd during games in Perth.
When the Saints played West Coast in round 11 this year, they lost the free-kick count 25-12.
Three WA field umpires have been appointed for Thursday's clash, but Worsfold isn't worrying about the noise of affirmation factor.
"We have faith that the umpires will do the best job they can," Worsfold said.
Essendon's horror record in Perth is another subject that hasn't been troubling Worsfold.
"I don't reflect on it. I like to sleep at night," Worsfold said.
"I wouldn't know the record, other than there's reasons. In 2016 - my first year at Essendon - we knew we were up against it.
"Now we're starting to build a team that is building the way we want to play and a style of footy we want to be known for."
Essendon (5-7) have won three of their past four matches to revive their finals hopes, but they still have plenty of work to do.
Worsfold said Dyson Heppell had recovered well from his recent concussion and would play against West Coast.
The Eagles were dealt a huge blow when star spearhead Josh Kennedy was ruled out by a hairline fracture in his right leg.
ESSENDON'S PAST 7 GAMES IN PERTH:
* Round 2, 2018 at Optus Stadium - lost to Fremantle by 16 points
* Round 7, 2017 at Subiaco Oval - lost to Fremantle by 37 points
* Round 15, 2016, Subiaco - lost to West Coast by 78 points
* Round 11, 2016, Subiaco - lost to Fremantle by 79 points
* Round 11, 2015, Subiaco - lost to Eagles by 50 points
* Round 6, 2015, Subiaco - lost to Dockers by 28 points
* Round 4, 2014, Subiaco - lost to Dockers by 53 points
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