West Coast Eagles set to attack Collingwood star Dane Swan

WEST Coast is pondering whether to use attack as the best means of defence in a bid to limit star Collingwood star Dane Swan.

WEST Coast is pondering whether to employ attack as the best means of defence in its bid to limit star Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan's influence at the MCG on Saturday.

Swan highlighted his amazing ball-winning abilities in his return from a hamstring injury a fortnight ago, tallying 42 possessions and booting two goals in the Magpies' 42-point AFL win over Melbourne.

West Coast tagger Scott Selwood remains the club's best lock-down player despite playing a more attacking role this year, and he is a hot favourite to get the job on Swan.

Just last week, Selwood tallied 33 possessions while restricting Carlton superstar Chris Judd to just 12.

But Selwood is set to face an even sterner task attempting to halt an in-form Swan on enemy territory.

"He's not really stoppable," Eagles utility Patrick McGinnity said of Swan.

"He's going to get his 30 touches.

"We've got people like Scooter Selwood that could go to him and maybe try to attack off him. I think that's probably the best way to do it. I think that's the best way to damage Collingwood.

"Try and nullify his touches and maybe keep him to one goal rather than the three he kicks, or keep him to 30 touches rather than 40."

McGinnity said Selwood thrived on being given the tough lock-down roles, describing his teammate as a bit of a "meat-head".

Ladder-leading West Coast and Collingwood have both compiled 9-2 records this season, and McGinnity said this week's match would give the Eagles a true gauge of where their premiership ambitions sat.