West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has revealed he had a chat and a walk with Sam Mitchell, less than a fortnight after news broke of the Hawthorn coach’s coffee catch-up with Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen.

McQualter and Mitchell will go head-to-head in Marvel Stadium’s coaches’ boxes on Sunday as the Eagles and Hawks do battle against the backdrop of a growing rivalry between the two clubs.

Mitchell and the Hawks poached Eagles vice-captain and premiership defender Tom Barrass in last year’s trade period, while the former West Coast player and assistant is appearing to sound out a similar raid on Allen and Harley Reid after chatting to both players at different stages this year.

Speaking ahead of West Coast training on Thursday, McQualter said he had caught up with Mitchell by chance in Adelaide during Gather Round, with the pair talking while having a walk around the city.

“I’ve known ‘Mitch’ for a long time. This is just pure coincidence - I was out for a walk and we literally crossed paths,” he said.

“We went for a walk and chatted about life.

“I’m not going to talk the details. There was nothing heavy. We just spoke about some things that we’ll keep between us.”

Aside from Mitchell’s meetings with West Coast players, Sunday’s clash holds extra significance from a draft perspective, with part of the Eagles’ hand tied to Hawthorn’s finishing position this year.

McQualter tried to play down the rivalry that is building between the two clubs.

“I’m not sure what the rivalry is. I think we’re going to prepare as best we can to win this game of football,” he said.

“Hawthorn are a good team, I know they’ve had a couple of losses the last couple of weeks but they’re playing some good football still.

“The players once they get started, they don’t care about that stuff they just play against whoever they’re playing against. I understand it’s a story that we’re playing against the Hawks this week… once the players start there won’t be much too it.”

All eyes will be on returning skipper Allen after he was rested from their two-point loss to Essendon at the weekend and given a couple of days away from the club.

Allen trained alongside teammates on Thursday morning and will come up against the Hawks for the first time since his meeting with Mitchell made headlines across the nation.

“Oscar’s good. He’s going to play this week. He’ll train today, it’s great to have him back in our team,” McQualter said.

“He’s doing really well. We gave him a few days off as we mentioned, clearly he didn’t play last weekend’s game.

“His knee’s in a good space, his body’s in a good space and we can’t wait for him to be back this week.”

McQualter wouldn’t rule out Allen resting more throughout the season as he manages his body through the rigours of a season.

“All of our players we look to manage at certain times throughout the year,” he said.

“AFL is a gruelling game. There’s 24 games in a 25-week period over the season, so potentially (Allen would be rested again) but we’re not going to forecast any of that.

“We’ll just keep planning week by week and work with our players closely.”

It will also be the first time they come up against Barrass since he left for the Hawks, but McQualter said he didn’t need to address it with the players.

“It’s real. These guys played a lot of football together, that’s what’s happened,” he said.

“There’s been so many instances now where people have played against former teammates, and I think it’s no longer an issue for players to deal with.

“I don’t need to talk about it with our players, I think the first ball is bounced everyone just plays and competes and tries to win for their team.”