Another team selection, another feel-good story.

On the eve of the West Coast Eagles’ Friday night show-down with Richmond the club announced its 12^th debutant, with 2021 mature age draftee Greg Clark finally getting his opportunity at the elite level.

Over-looked in several drafts the big-bodied midfielder has constructed a body of work that could not be ignored. And after two strong weeks with the WAFL Eagles, having damaged his shoulder in the pre-season, he has forced his way into the senior team on the back of compelling form.

A former State under-18 captain, he played in three premierships with Subiaco, earning the Simpson Medal in last year’s grand final, to almost demand an opportunity at the highest level.

In the first seven rounds, the Eagles match committee has virtually selected anyone fit and available, but Clark banged down the door with two solid efforts through the midfield.

His inclusion – and that of vice-captain Jeremey McGovern – was the story of selection as the club looks to bounce back from disappointing performances against Sydney and Port Adelaide.

McGovern, the form player of the team, missed both of those games under AFL Health and Safety protocols.

He emerged from isolation late last week and the match committee left him home because of the short turn-around between travel and his emergence from quarantine.

Carlton recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton also comes back into the line-up after a solid performance in the WAFL last week.

While there is a good news story, defender Luke Foley (Health and Safety protocols) and midfield bull Elliot Yeo (concussion) could not be considered. Foley is one of three players to have played every match to this point, but with his run coming to an end it means veteran defender Shannon Hurn and former Richmond wingman Patrick Naish remain standing.

Ruckman-forward Bailey Williams has a hamstring strain and last week’s medical sub Zac Langdon has been omitted.

Star wingman Andrew Gaff has been named as an emergency, alongside Langdon, defender Josh Rotham and forward-ruckman Hugh Dixon.

A decision on whether to use Gaff as the medical sub or hold him over for Saturday’s WAFL game will be made in the lead-up to the Richmond encounter which is likely to played in front of a large blue and gold crowd.

Clark will become the 42^nd player this season to play for the Eagles and as the 12^th debutant the club is just one shy of the record 13 players who represented it for the first time in 2001.

Aside from the club’s debut season of 1987 – when 33 of its 35 players saw action – 13 is the highest number of first-gamers  to represent West Coast.