Xavier Ellis: West Coast Eagles won’t get many better chances at victory than against North Melbourne at home

West Coast won’t get many winnable games this season, but North Melbourne at home is one of them. Looking through an Eagle eye, there are three areas to focus on for victory. 1 -Nick Larkey makes me very nervous. Send Reuben Ginbey straight to him. Ben King last weekend looked very ominous as have many key forwards against West Coast over the past five seasons. Ginbey has a bright future as a key defender, start him on the best forward and continue to test him on the best. 2- North Melbourne for years have been meek in the key defender department. However, Charlie Comben was outstanding against Port Adelaide. After Comben, the cupboard is empty. West Coast forward Jake Waterman worked into the game against Gold Coast and looks set for a strong year. If Waterman can win his match-up, he will pave the way for everyone else. He can easily kick a handful – and he needs to. 3- Lastly, do not get blown away early. Too often for the Eagles and again last weekend, the game was done and dusted by quarter-time. Stay with North Melbourne! I have little doubt they’ll start asking questions of themselves if West Coast are still in the game at half-time. North have the expectation they’ll win, they are favourites and this is foreign territory. Do not start poorly and give the likes of Harry Sheezel and Luke Davies–Uniacke a head start. The Eagles can win. Will they, however? I hope so … but will be tipping North.