West Coast coach Adam Simpson will prioritise trying to curb the influence of elite Greater Western Sydney runner Lachie Whitfield in tonight’s clash at Optus Stadium.

The Eagles, desperate for a win after dropping their round one match against Brisbane at the Gabba in round one, are wary of Whitfield who earned his first All-Australian jumper last year and ran up 30 disposals, seven marks, five clearances and five inside 50s against Essendon.

Simpson said curbing the likes of Whitfield and Stephen Coniglio, who had 31 disposals and kicked three goals in the 72-point win over the Bombers, was a problem.

“They are A-graders, they are not babies any more, they are men,” he said. “They have done their apprenticeship so they are in the prime of their life at the moment. That is another problem we have got.”

While Coniglio is renowned as the Giants’ best two-way runner in a talent-laden midfield, Whitfield is hard to lock down on because of his versatility, Simpson said.

“Whitfield has taken his game to another level already. He’s probably their quickest player and he’s also running 17km. He can play half-forward, wing and down back,” Simpson said.

“He can really pull you apart from a structural point of view.”

For Simpson, trying to avoid a 0-2 start to the season with powerful Collingwood waiting at the MCG in round three, it is a case of waiting for the cavalry to return and hoping they fire quickly.

He gets spearhead Josh Kennedy back this weekend, although he wasn’t prepared to predict how many minutes the dual Coleman medallist would play.

He was confident that Kennedy would find his feet quickly, given that he had a history of performing strongly straight away after long lay-offs.

Simpson was also hopeful that Jamie Cripps (toe) would play in a practice match for the Eagles WAFL team this weekend and be available for AFL selection against the Magpies.

Defender Will Schofield was another one expected to play WAFL minutes this weekend.

But small forward Willie Rioli is unlikely to play before at least round four, Simpson said.

Rioli developed foot soreness during a training session last week and was withdrawn from the team before the flight to Brisbane to face the Lions.

At this stage the Eagles are calling the injury a “stress reaction” but not a stress fracture.

“We have just got to give it time to settle down,” Simpson said.

“He won’t be available this week and probably not next week either.”