West Coast concede their new-look midfield may not see any serious game time together as a complete unit before the start of the AFL season.
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The Eagles are set to give boom recruit Tim Kelly his first run out in Thursday night's pre-season match against Essendon at Lathlain Park.
Fellow former Geelong player Jarmaine Jones is also likely to feature as he chases a supplemental-selection career lifeline.
But utility Elliot Yeo is unavailable as he and defender Brad Sheppard represent the All-Stars against Victoria in the AFL bushfire relief match.
West Coast midfield coach Nathan van Berlo said it is crucial to give a midfield boosted by Kelly's arrival plenty of time to build chemistry.
The explosive South Fremantle product also needs to acquaint himself with star Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui, as well as Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden and the support cast.
"It would be great to get a full complement in there and see that mix working together before round one, but that's out of our control at the moment," Van Berlo said.
"It (chemistry) is important. From a midfield point of view, something we have tried to focus on throughout the pre-season is trying to get some continuity and chemistry with the group.
"With Tim coming into the mix now it is important that he gets some connection with the rest of the midfielders, and the forward line too if he spends some time there."
Naitanui has managed just 20 games in the past three seasons because of serious knee injuries and missed out on the 2018 premiership.
He played five matches late last season on limited game time and Van Berlo said the Eagles would take a similar approach in 2020 to maximise their No.1 big man's output.
"The way we're going to manage him going forward is with limited game time," Van Berlo said.
"I guess a bit of what you saw last year is what you'll get again from Nic, but his presence when he comes into the ruck and plays on-ball for us is huge.
"The more that we can get him out there and playing in the ruck is obviously our No.1 priority."
Van Berlo confirmed spearhead Josh Kennedy would play against Essendon, but fellow key forward Jack Darling is still recovering from a fractured cheekbone.
Australian Associated Press
