The Eagles will take on 10th-placed St Kilda in front of a home crowd for the second-last time this season from 2.40pm.
Both teams have only won one game out of the last six rounds, and while West Coast is focusing on growth and development amid a tough season, the Saints have their sights set on finals.
“Their season is on the line so we’re expecting to see them to be fierce. I’m anticipating them at their absolute best. Can we sustain that? It will be a good challenge,” said Simpson.
“It will be game on. Expectation is they will come in and have a real swing.
“They beat Carlton with really strong forward pressure, lost to the Dogs, but we’ve been fortunate to see them play live a bit in Melbourne.”
Last time the sides met; West Coast came away with the win in an eight-point thriller at Optus.
West Coast did not get let off lightly with the Saints’ key forward Max King kicking six goals to keep them trailing behind.
Simpson hopes to halt King’s opportunity to score if they can nullify the supply.
“He’s a good player, it’s obviously what he can do with the ball when it comes down and the way it comes down as well,” said Simpson.
“I think our backs at stages this year have been left high and dry with our lack of support and pressure up the ground.
“The overwhelming supply has hurt us as well, conceding 60-70 inside 50s it’s really difficult to say it’s a backline issue.
“If we can nullify the supply, that will be the first priority in taking away his opportunity but he’s a very good player – he doesn’t need many opportunities to score.”
Despite only having one home win at Optus this year, the fans continue to turn up with 43,500 attending the round 17 clash against Carlton.
Simpson hopes to reward Eagles members and supporters for showing their support throughout the season.
“The electric crowd we get is so important for us and we want to reward them for turning up.” Simpson said.
“Hopefully they see some growth and some things to talk about for the future.”
