The West Coast Eagles have suffered a major blow on the eve of their HMAS Sydney II Tribute Game against the Sydney Swans with star defender Jeremy McGovern ruled out, however gun midfielder Elliot Yeo is a confirmed starter for his first AFL game this season. 

Described as being in career-best form by coach Adam Simpson, four-time All-Australian McGovern has entered the AFL's Health and Safety Protocols and leaves a sizeable hole in the backline but also with his leadership. 

He follows reigning dual John Worsfold medallist Nic Naitanui (knee) out of the line-up that upset Collingwood last round, with Simpson expecting to make five or six changes to the side. 

"He's in career-best form, 'Gov', and that's on and off-field. His ability to stand up from a leadership point-of-view, i think he's gone to another level," Simpson said.

"Sometimes being a good leader it's hard to play well at the same time and I think he's grown so much in that role.

"He's a big out, but we've dealt with that all year with players going in and out of the side. 

"Unfortunately, another six changes is not ideal for us. We haven't been beneath that, i don't think, this year.

"It's remarkable, really, that we can't get that synergy, but that's just the way it is."

On the positive side of things, Yeo will return from a calf strain, while skipper Luke Shuey (Health and Safety Protocols) and Tim Kelly (hamstring) are also available in a potentially significant boost to the engine room. 

"(Yeo) played 70-odd minutes last week at WAFL so he's ready to go," Simpson said. 

"We need to look at his minutes and how we transition him back into the seniors, and that won't take one week, that will take several weeks.

"He's in good condition - a lot different than last year - but we need to keep an eye on him as well."

Important forward Jamie Cripps (pectoral) and Samo Petrevski-Seton (calf) are also in the mix to face the Swans, however Simpson confirmed mature-age draftee Greg Clark will play his first game of the year in the WAFL after shoulder surgery. 

Emerging onballer Luke Edwards will be sidelined this weekend after being subbed out of the Pies win with groin soreness.

A lack of continuity and synergy amongst the playing group has presented a challenge for the coaches this season, and that was weighing on Simpson's mind ahead of the Swans encounter, more than the lack of match conditioning. 

"It's probably more the continuity rather than the fitness. it's early in the year and some of the guys coming back in have only missed a couple of weeks," he said.

"The biggest challenge from a coaching point-of-view and playing point-of-view is to get everyone on the same page on-field. 

"That takes a bit of time, so to think it's just going to click because we get some names back is a bit naive.

"We're aware of it. Playing a really good side this week in Sydney. They're in a really good space, so that will be a massive challenge for us but we can't wait."

The Swans sit sixth on the ladder with a 3-1 record, while West Coast is 15th at 1-3 ahead of their 5.40pm Optus Stadium clash.