SINCE our second quarter against Sydney in round five, the wheel has started to turn for us, although we have still yet to record our first win this season.

Against the Western Bulldogs last round we won three quarters, but a 15-minute lapse during the second term really cost us. It was disappointing as there was no doubt we should have won the match.

The Dogs were good enough during that 15-minute period to kick goals in quick succession – something we shouldn't have allowed to happen. It proved crucial in the result.

Still, our confidence has been boosted by the fact we have been so close in the past two rounds and we're taking that renewed confidence across the Nullarbor as we take on the might of West Coast.

We fully understand we're heading into Sunday's match as underdogs, but we're quietly confident that we can take it right up to West Coast – a team supposedly far superior than the rest of the competition. And we'll be doing our utmost to achieve our first win of the season against West Coast in Perth.

Teams struggle playing at Subiaco, simply because it is a long ground and difficult to get used to, but from a players' perspective it is ground that you simply have to “gut run” on.

It's not as wide as the MCG, but it is longer. The noticeable difference I find is the room between the 50-metre line and centre square. Compare that to the SCG for example and there is a considerable difference. The team that runs harder at Subiaco will nine times out of 10 win the match.

Much of the reason why teams struggle the following week after playing at Subiaco is not because of the plane trip, but because of the running factor on “Subi”. And West Coast is without doubt a great running side.

Now that I'm in my eighth AFL season I've experienced the long domestic flight to Perth on several occasions, so in a sense I know what the routine will be like.

I room with Cameron Bruce on all interstate trips we undertake and by now we know each others habits.

“Neita” normally rooms with “Whitey”, which they have done for years, while Russell Robertson and Adem Yze share a room together. I think they like to get a milkshake from room service before every match.

It's actually good heading away with the boys, as we're one big group. We're able to sit around the dining table, have a bite together and catch-up. It's a great team-building exercise when you go away as a team. And what an amazing victory it would be, if we did pull off a win.

The victory would be even sweeter being on the road and celebrating it together.

People around the club still recall Melbourne's famous victory over West Coast in round 14, 1998, when no one gave us a chance. Although I wasn't at the club at that stage, we took over a young side without several key players.

Hopefully we can achieve something similar this time around.