West Coast coach Adam Simpson has labelled Nick Daicos as "probably the best player" in the AFL, but the Eagles possess the gun ace that may soon take that mantle.
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The battle between Daicos and No.1 draft pick Harley Reid is set to be the headline act when West Coast take on Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Reid is hot favourite to win this year's Rising Star award after starting his AFL career in scintillating fashion, with his Dusty Martin-style fend-offs proving a big hit.
Daicos, a 21-year-old in his third season, is already an AFL superstar and among the early favourites for this year's Brownlow medal.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae is already looking forward to the battle between Daicos and Reid on Sunday.
Simpson is doing his best to play down the match-up, but didn't hold back when quizzed on the importance of limiting the impact of Daicos.
"We definitely have to look at it (tagging him)," Simpson said.
"We haven't seen too many people do it successfully. If it helps us win, we'll do it. It might be a go-to, we might start with it.
"But he's pretty good wherever he goes.
"And the problem with players like that is they just put themselves in different positions to help the team.
"So whilst that might work (in limiting his influence), you don't win."
Reid is just seven games into his AFL career, but he's already being tipped for greatness.
Simpson said if Reid did go head-to-head with Daicos, it would be a valuable learning experience.
"He's probably the best player in the comp at the moment," he said of Daicos.
"They might play on each other at stages. Harley's 19.
"He's learning so much every week, playing alongside some of our established players but also every week going against the best."
West Coast enter the match missing Jake Waterman and Elliot Yeo.
Waterman leads the club's goalkicking charts this year with 24, while Yeo has been their best and most explosive midfielder.
The Eagles welcome back Ryan Maric from illness and Jayden Hunt from a toe injury, while Tyrell Dewar will make his AFL debut.
Collingwood (4-1-3) have posted four wins and a draw from their past five matches to shoot back into the premiership picture.
But their injury count is climbing, with Jamie Elliott (back) joining a list including Dan McStay (knee), Brody Mihocek (hamstring), Tom Mitchell (appendicitis), Beau McCreery (concussion) and Jordan De Goey (groin) on the sidelines.
The Magpies have handed a debut to Joe Richards, while former Saint Jack Bytel will make his first appearance for Collingwood.
Australian Associated Press
