Yesterday's departure call from Tullamarine definitely said Flight 683 to Perth. But the Essendon players could be forgiven for thinking they had been loaded onto the wrong flight. Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed Perth yesterday and more of the same is expected later today with heavy showers forecast for Friday's game. It certainly didn't feel like Perth and hopefully it takes the West Coast Eagles out of their comfort zone.

The Eagles are a 'fast-track' side - there is no doubt they are the conditions they prefer. Hard, fast grounds where they can capitalise on their seemingly endless stream of midfielders. West Coast is also a deceptively tall side with about a dozen of their players standing over the 190cm mark. A wet track might just even up what many are predicting to be a lop-sided contest.

It is hard to get a real read on Essendon's wet weather form, particularly so given the side plays much of its football under the roof at The Dome. The nearest thing to wet weather Essendon has experienced this year came three rounds ago against Port Adelaide. A heavy dew made conditions very difficult and it is fair to say the Bombers handled them best to three-quarter time, going into the final break narrowly in front. Hard committed bodies are what will win this game tomorrow night.

Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw bristled at any suggestion the weather could even up a contest many of the experts are saying is already over.

""Is it an uneven contest is it?"" he said. ""Nobody told us that. Did anyone tell Fremantle that when they went down to Skilled Stadium to play Geelong a couple of weeks ago? Did anyone tell Collingwood that when they played an undefeated West Coast a couple of weeks ago?""

""We are coming here to play a game of football and yes we are going to have to play exceptionally well to win the game rail, hail or shine. But it is not an uneven contest - we have 22 blokes as they do. I don't think anyone has changed the rules.

 ""We have brought a squad of 25 over here with us so we have some options and I think most people know we have one or two under injury clouds. But the beauty of having Bendigo playing Monday is that we could bring a bigger squad over here. There are a couple we might decide to have a look at.""

""It has been a very funny season so who knows what tomorrow night might bring. Most see it as first v fourteenth but that has always meant a victory this season. Having said that we are going to have to work exceptionally hard.""