They giveth and they taketh away.

A slice of experience returns, a similar amount exits.

While the selection rollercoaster hit a relative plateau – with just five changes, after a total of 26 in the previous fortnight – the West Coast Eagles welcome back some quality players but were unable to select a few others.

As the Eagles prepare for a round four show-down with Collingwood at Marvel Stadium, the team is more stable than it has been in the opening three rounds.

Five changes is generally considered extreme. In this climate it represents an indicator the Eagles are starting to bounce back. 

Importantly, key defender Tom Barrass, lively forward Willie Rioli and rebounding half-back Liam Duggan are among the inclusions, along with young midfielder Xavier O’Neill and versatile forward Jake Waterman.

Their inclusion has been off-set to some extent with veteran wingman Andrew Gaff (ankle) and recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton (calf) ruled out with injury while forward Jack Petruccelle is unable to play after entering AFL health and safety protocols.

Developing tall defender Harry Edwards has made way for Barrass while Josh Rotham has lost his place to Duggan.

Ruckman-forward Bailey Williams, who has emerged from H&S protocols to train this week, has been named as an emergency with Rotham.

Covid contingency list players Luke Meadows (West Perth) and Logan Young (WAFL Eagles) have also been named as emergencies. Both would play in the midfield if required.

Captain Luke Shuey was not considered after going into AFL health and safety protocols late last week.

While not available this week, star midfielders Shuey, Tim Kelly and Elliot Yeo will be pushing hard over the next fortnight while the same could be said of forward Jamie Cripps and mature age draftee Greg Clark.