West Coast’s finals destiny is no longer in the Eagles’ control but skipper Luke Shuey says the team will be setting themselves for a round 23 victory over Brisbane with the hope of tasting September action once again.

Following the tough 15-point RAC Derby loss, the Eagles have slipped to ninth on the ladder and need to win on Saturday evening at the Gabba to keep their chances alive, while hoping either the Giants or Bombers lose.

Greater Western Sydney faces Carlton on Saturday night, while Essendon takes on fierce rival Collingwood on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.

“We’re realistic that if you’re going to dish up mediocre performances like we have this year, unfortunately you often leave your fate in other peoples’ hands,” Shuey told reporters on Tuesday.

“That’s what we’ve done and we can’t control that now, so we’re set on trying to win this week and that’s all we can do.

“If the results go our way that would be fantastic, but if they don’t we’ve got no one to blame but ourselves.

“That’s how brutal the competition is. We feel like there’s been plenty of games we haven’t been that far off but the game on the weekend 15 minutes in the first quarter we cough up a real slow start and it cost us the game in the end.

“That’s probably happened too many times this year.

“That’s why you get to this stage of the year and you rely on other results, which isn’t a great position to be in.”  

Shuey, who got through 73 per cent game time on his return from a calf strain, said he has pulled up well and would back up against the Lions.

Star forward Josh Kennedy, who has a compound fracture of his little finger, is also aiming to take his spot, while midfielder Tim Kelly (knee) has been ruled out.

The Eagles could regain small forward Willie Rioli for Saturday’s clash following the end of his two-year suspension, pending match committee’s decision.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do since he’s come back,” Shuey said.

“He’s wholeheartedly bought into what we’re about and it’s been great to have him back – a real energy lift.

“He just wants to play footy again, so for him to possible get that opportunity again this weekend is really exciting.

“I think the way he plays (brings energy). We’ve loved to see him the way he’s bought into the way we’ve wanted him to go about it.

“To see him buy in the way he has has been a real lift but the way he plays and the things he does – things not many people can do – is special to witness and we’ve sort of missed that over the last little period.”