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Melbourne's fortunes have fluctuated significantly since last year's AFL preliminary final but the West Coast Eagles will be wary in Alice Springs.

In the penultimate round of last year's AFL finals series Melbourne and the West Coast Eagles played off for a place in the premiership decider.

The Eagles won easily, went on to win the flag and are in the top four and in contention again this year.

But the Demons have had a horror 2019 and are in 16th place heading into Sunday's clash between last year's preliminary finalists at Alice Springs.

However, the Eagles lost to Collingwood in Perth last weekend and will be missing Nic Naitanui, who injured his ankle in just his third match back after a second knee reconstruction.

West Coast are wary of Melbourne, who were 12 points up at three-quarter time when the teams played in Perth back in May before the Eagles ran over them in the final term.

"We prepare for every opposition to be at their best and Melbourne at their best are very dynamic and dangerous," said West Coast assistant Jaymie Graham.

"They have got a good ruck duo and got a strong midfield that pride themselves on their contested ball so when up and going they are going to be hard to stop."

Eagles ruckman Tom Hickey will have to do most of the ruck work against two-time All-Australian Max Gawn and Braden Preuss given Nathan Vardy is injured.

"Hickey has had some really good performances for us this year in the ruck and he gets an opportunity against quality opposition," Graham said.

The match is an especially significant one for West Coast premiership player Willie Rioli and Melbourne's Steven May, who hail from the Northern Territory.

Playing in Alice Springs was "special and feels like home", said Rioli, who spent a long time after training signing autographs for fans.

"I've got some family members that drove down (1500km from Darwin)," he said.

"My aunty and old Cyril Rioli Senior and I get to catch up with all my old mates I played with during state carnivals."