Up to six players could make their first appearance in West Coast Eagles colours after a 26-man squad for Sunday’s season opener against Gold Coast was released this afternoon.

Utility player Sam Petrevski-Seton, traded into the club from Carlton in the off-season, and tall forward Hugh Dixon, who was formally listed as a rookie only a fortnight ago, have been selected in the starting 18.

Young defender Brady Hough, selected at pick #31 last November, has already been declared as a starter despite being named on an extended bench that includes former Richmond midfielder Patrick Naish and young tall forward/ruck options Jack Williams (drafted in November) and Callum Jamieson.

Also on that bench are Isiah Winder, who played one game last season, forward/ruck Bailey Williams, small forward Jamaine Jones and tall defender Harry Edwards.

It is a team missing many of its regulars, but the inclusion of forward Willie Rioli for his first game in two years will provide energy, bounce and excitement.

It is also a match where accomplished key defender Tom Barrass will play his 100^th game. Elevated to the leadership group this season, Barrass has worked brilliantly in tandem with Jeremy McGovern over the last five or six seasons.  

He has become one of the most adept intercept marking players in the competition, but equally times his run to spoil the ball with authority.

Dixon, who played one game with Fremantle in 2019, has earned a second opportunity at the elite level on the back of solid form in the WAFL last year with East Fremantle, and then impressing when invited to train in February.

Petrevski-Seton played 94 games with the Blues, mainly across half-back but has played through the midfield and forward in his trial games at the Eagles.