West Coast coach Adam Simpson has forecast another week of significant change at the selection table ahead of the RAC Derby, with five Eagles who played in round two entering the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols.

Skipper Luke Shuey, star forward Willie Rioli, premiership defender Liam Duggan and emerging talls Bailey and Jack Williams are all unavailable for the clash with Fremantle.  

A host of Eagles have exited the League’s protocols - including Nic Naitanui, Jack Redden, Josh Rotham, Jake Waterman, Brady Hough, Hugh Dixon, Harry Edwards and Jamaine Jones - and the club has until Saturday afternoon to assess their fitness before deciding on the final 22. 

“We’re really not at the final stages of selection yet. We’ve got to get through another couple of days hopefully COVID-free, and that probably hasn’t happened to us for the last two weeks,” Simpson said.

“Then a lot of the guys came out (of protocols) today, which was great, really good to see them and we got through a training session.

“We’ve just got to see how those guys pull up tomorrow. We pushed training back a day to try and get everyone together.

“Really good spirits and good unity (amongst the group), but I think we’ve got a deadline tomorrow at 2pm (for team selection) and even then you’ve got to get through another COVID test that afternoon and probably game day.

“At this stage, long story short, we’ll have 25 (listed) players to choose from again, so we’ll have to dip into the top-up boys for at least one emergency, and possibly more if we get a few more (cases) the next couple of days.

“There’s still a good vibe, good environment, up for the challenge and pretty of resilience we’re dealing with, so onwards we go.”

The Eagles are also monitoring full-back Tom Barrass’ availability after spending time in the protocols, while COVID Contingency List players are on standby for Sunday’s 4.20pm bouncedown in RAC Derby No.54.

West Coast has played 37 different players in the opening two rounds and continues to work through how many changes will be required, with Simpson estimating their could be between 10 to 15 swaps. 

On a positive note, prolific wingman Andrew Gaff (foot), utility Jackson Nelson (knee) and Connor West (hamstring) could all be available after injuries.

“I think Gaff and Nelson are more likely than unlikely, but we’ve got to see tomorrow,” Simpson said.

“West is still a decision from a hamstring and he’s been in the COVID protocols and I only saw him today, so once again we need to take our time and assess things tomorrow.”

Despite the obvious challenges West Coast is facing, Simpson declared the Eagles would be playing to win against Fremantle.

“It’s interesting for us, we’ve had a little shift with our style of play and we want to grow our identity as a side a little bit different to what we have in the past," he said. 

“We’ve had really good success with what we’ve done and we’re looking to improve and evolve, so that’s been hard with what we’ve been dealt with.

“But it’s also been a great opportunity because we’ve got now I think – and I’ve said this a lot – a stronger sense of belonging amongst all our players because they’ve all had to step up.

“Hand on heart I can honestly say we’ve grown as a club. Does that mean we win? Not at the moment, but I’m hoping in the long run we look back at this experience as a real good opportunity rather than a crisis or something we’ve found hard to manage.

“We’re trying to be mature about it, but we want to win. We absolutely want to win.”