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Justin Chadwick and Shayne Hope

Cavalry returns as Eagles eye better times ahead in AFL

West Coast have named one of their most potent teams of the season for their clash with Richmond. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

West Coast will field their strongest side since round three when they take on Richmond in Perth on Sunday, but coach Adam Simpson isn't getting carried away.

The return of Shannon Hurn and Luke Shuey this week means West Coast are missing just five players from their best 22.

It's a far cry from earlier this year when the Eagles were missing up to 12 of their best players.

The recent returns of Jeremy McGovern, Tom Cole, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps, and Tom Barrass have bolstered West Coast's squad.

It means only Nic Naitanui (achilles), Liam Ryan (hamstring), Jamaine Jones (ankle), Jake Waterman (illness) and Elliot Yeo (hip) are missing from their best 22.

Yeo could return as early as next week.

Not since the round three western derby - when West Coast lost McGovern, Ryan, Shuey, Cripps and Alex Witherden to injury in the same match - have the Eagles fielded such a strong side.

It's even allowed West Coast to start out-of-form wingman Andrew Gaff as the tactical sub this week.

"It's been a while," Simpson said of getting the bulk of his squad back together.

"But I think having the names on the paper is different than having the form and the synergy, so we've got to taper (expectations) a little bit.

""Getting the synergy of our best players playing with our kids - we haven't had that yet. So this week might be the first step."

The Eagles will attempt to snap a 14-match losing streak when they take on the Tigers.

West Coast almost toppled St Kilda at Optus Stadium two weeks ago, leading by 31 points before losing a thriller by eight points.

Richmond have won four out of their past five games under interim coach Andrew McQualter to stay in the finals mix.

Star Richmond veteran Dustin Martin has been in strong form of late, tallying 35 disposals and six clearances in a win over St Kilda a fortnight ago, before following it up with 29 possessions, six clearances and a goal in last week's triumph over Sydney.

"I think he's had a terrific year of football," McQualter said.

"Also, it's not all about stats for Dustin the way he impacts our game.

"He's obviously such a big presence for opposition teams and he can impact games in lots of ways.

"We think he's in a great patch of form, doing a lot of team things for us and I'm sure he'll be keen to continue that."

Richmond have recalled ruckman Ivan Soldo to replace the suspended Toby Nankervis.

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