West Coast coach Adam Simpson couldn't help but laugh when questioned about the challenge confronting his AFL team at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
After all, if he didn't laugh, he would probably cry.
Taking on the Cats at the Cattery is hard at the best of times.
But try taking on Geelong when they are on top of the ladder on the back of a 12-match winning streak and looking to celebrate Patrick Dangerfield's 300-game milestone.
In contrast, West Coast are at the lowest ebb of their rich 36-year history.
The Eagles have won just two games for the season and have a poor percentage of 61.2.
Adding to their woes is the fact they'll enter Saturday's match missing about 10 of their best 22 players, including Nic Naitanui, Jeremy McGovern, Oscar Allen, Dom Sheed, Elliot Yeo, and Andrew Gaff.
West Coast have lost their past eight matches at GMHBA Stadium by an average of 68.5 points.
Their last win there was in 2006, when the Ben Cousins-inspired Eagles came from 54 points down midway through the third quarter to post a famous three-point win.
There will be no Cousins, Daniel Kerr, Dean Cox, and David Wirrpanda this time around to come to West Coast's rescue, and the scoreline could get ugly.
A loss in excess of 130 points might even result in West Coast collecting the wooden spoon, depending on North Melbourne's result against Gold Coast.
Despite the risk of the game getting blown wide open, Simpson isn't going in with a damage-control mentality.
"I don't think that's the way to go about it," Simpson said.
"We'll go over and try to play our way, and try to work on the things we've been working on, regardless of personnel or who we're playing."
Geelong have already locked up top spot, but they are desperate to celebrate Dangerfield's milestone in grand style.
The 32-year-old said he was taking the growing expectations of premiership success in his stride.
"That's the message from our coaches as much as anything, enjoy and embrace this time of the year," Dangerfield said.
"It's a great time to be alive. It's a privilege to play in (finals). We've given ourselves a chance this year (to win it)."
Geelong will be without Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and Rhys Staney (adductor) against the Eagles, but both are set to return for week one of the finals.
Mark O'Connor, Esava Ratugolea, Isaac Smith have been brought into the side.
The Eagles welcome back Tim Kelly and Jai Culley from suspension, while Willie Rioli is back from personal leave.
Australian Associated Press
