Reuben Ginbey has quashed any prospect of moving into the midfield in the near future, with the West Coast star saying he's happy to be thriving in defence.

Ginbey is now West Coast's go-to man for taking on the opposition's best key forward, with the 21-year-old performing the job with aplomb despite being regularly undersized.

The Eagles injected Ginbey into their midfield mix at the start of his AFL career, but have used him in defence for the past 18 months following the exits of Tom Barrass (Hawthorn) and Jeremy McGovern (retired).

West Coast premiership winner Guy McKenna has urged the Eagles to shift Ginbey back into the midfield in order to bolster an on-ball brigade that has struggled for impact over the past few years.

But Ginbey, who has been tabled a five-year contract extension by West Coast, has no plans to shift position - at least any time soon.

"I played mid for my first two years, and I was probably a bit too defensive minded," Ginbey told AAP ahead of Sunday's AFL clash with Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

"So I think it's no coincidence that I found myself down back and probably one of the deeper backs.

"I'm really happy with that role at the moment. I think that's where I'm definitely playing my better footy.

"In the future you never know what might happen. But I'm happy holding down one of the key posts as our back line."

Ginbey has taken on and held his own against the likes of Josh Treacy, Jeremy Cameron, Nick Larkey, Charlie Curnow and Mitch Georgiades.

"I like taking the responsibility of playing on the game's best forwards," Ginbey said.

Ginbey will receive a helping hand against the Demons with the return of key defender Harry Edwards, who has recovered from the concussion he suffered in round two.

Tylar Young has struggled in his first season at the Eagles, giving up a competition-high 24 goals this year.

But Ginbey has seen some important growth from the former Tigers defender in recent games.

"I think Young's development over the last few weeks has been elite," Ginbey said.

"He can play on talls. He can play on smalls. He just reads the ball so well.

"The way he's continued to develop his game and his leadership is massive for me. I love playing beside him."

West Coast have recalled Harvey Johnston and Jack Hutchinson alongside Edwards, with Elijah Hewett the biggest casualty from last week's shock loss to Richmond.

The Demons (5-3) have recalled Jake Bowey in place of forward Brody Mihocek (hamstring).