West Coast skipper Oscar Allen says interim coach Jarrad Schofield won't be urging the team to get a win for him when the Eagles attempt to end their Geelong hoodoo on Saturday.
Schofield's hopes of landing West Coast's senior role full-time took a huge blow last Sunday when the Eagles suffered a 65-point loss to an under-strength Carlton outfit.
The heavy defeat took the wind out of the side following back-to-back victories over Gold Coast and North Melbourne, and there is a high chance of more pain to come.
West Coast finish their season at GMHBA Stadium, where they have lost nine straight matches.
Their most recent win at Geelong's fortress came in 2006, when the likes of Ben Cousins, Dean Cox and Daniel Kerr were at the peak of their powers and helped the team come from 54 points down to snatch a famous three-point victory.
West Coast's hopes of turning around their fortunes were dealt more blows this week when Tom Barrass (back) was ruled out for a fourth consecutive match and Jeremy McGovern (thumb) joined him on the sidelines.
Premiership forward Liam Ryan (personal reasons) and Alex Witherden (hip) were also ruled out.
A heavy defeat in Geelong could prove to be a critical blow to Schofield's chances of staying in the hot seat.
But Allen says the three-time WAFL premiership coach is more focused on ensuring the group is improving rather than his own future.
"It's not about individuals, and Schoey's exactly the same," Allen said.
"I've really enjoyed the last five weeks under Schoey.
"But we're not necessarily going out to Geelong and thinking, 'Oh, if we win, Schoey's going to get the job'."
Schofield has encouraged his team to play on edge and prioritise the contest, and Allen said the group had embraced the messaging.Â
"He's been excellent," Allen said.Â
"The brand of footy he's got us to want to play has really changed the way we've gone about it the last six weeks."
With Dean Cox, Josh Carr, Jaymie Graham, Ash Hansen, Nathan Buckley and Daniel Giansiracusa ruling themselves out of the West Coast job, the likes of Schofield, Andrew McQualter and Brett Montgomery are among the favourites to land the role.
Former Port Adelaide defender Darryl Wakelin believes Mark Williams, who led the Power to the 2004 flag and is now head of development at Melbourne, should also be considered.
"If you look at his record itâs as good as any as far as spotting up-and-coming talent," Wakelin told SEN.Â
"To bring a group together, to build a whole football department, heâs as good as there was.
âItâs still bewildered me that 'Choco' hasnât been given another gig. Iâd love to see him get another gig.â
