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West Coast players say they feel their spirits lift when forward Jack Darling puts on a strong display.

West Coast midfielder Jack Redden says his team can't help but feel uplifted when they see Jack Darling weaving his magic.

Darling came under heavy criticism earlier this season after going goalless in the big AFL losses to Port Adelaide and Geelong.

But the experienced forward has bounced back strongly since then, with his finest effort coming in last Sunday's 61-point win over the Western Bulldogs.

Darling booted 6.1 and snared four contested marks in that match, helping tear the game wide open after the Bulldogs had made a strong start.

"It was glimpses of what he was doing last year," Redden said.

"When he takes those contested grabs it's so big for the team, so uplifting for the team.

"It just settles our team a lot and straightens our team. The more he can do that, it would be good."

West Coast boast one of the most potent forward lines in the competition.

Josh Kennedy and Darling are both capable of taking big marks and kicking bags, while the fleet-footed trio of Liam Ryan, Willie Rioli and Jamie Cripps can cause havoc at ground level.

West Coast's biggest problem has been their lack of inside 50s, but it's an area that has improved on the back of a bigger emphasis on winning the contested ball.

Redden said the midfield group felt a responsibility to ensure the forwards received enough supply.

"Once we get it in we're quite accurate. We make the most of our inside 50s," Redden said.

"We had a bit of a shaky start (in terms of our contested footy). We were pretty inconsistent in that area.

"We've really homed in on it, and just being clean inside and working well."

The fourth-placed Eagles (8-3) sit a win clear of fifth spot despite being patchy at times this season.

West Coast will be aiming to notch their sixth win on the trot when they take on Sydney at the SCG on Sunday.

Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn will miss the match with a minor hamstring injury, but ruckman Tom Hickey (ankle) is a chance to return.