Key forward Jack Darling reinforced his extraordinary recuperative powers to prove his fitness and take his place in the West Coast Eagles team for Saturday’s season-opener against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

After suffering a concerning ankle injury in match simulation a month ago Darling was in a moon boot for about a week and was in considerable doubt to make this date for the clash against the Roos.

But his well-documented attention to detail saw him expedite his recovery to travel to Melbourne on the club’s charter flight this afternoon.

Also on that flight were midfielder Dom Sheed, vice-captain Jeremy McGovern, half-back Tom Cole and forward Oscar Allen – players who missed big chunks or all of the 2022 campaign.

Cole and Allen did not play at all last year while Sheed played just one game and McGovern managed 10 before a serious rib injury ended his contribution mid-year.

Unfortunately, ruckman Nic Naitanui (Achilles) and line-breaking midfielder Elliot Yeo (calf) were not on the flight and in the absence of the star big man, both Bailey Williams and Callum Jamieson were named to share the ruck responsibilities.

Also heading east to play for the first time were defender Jayden Hunt, small forward Noah Long and midfielders Campbell Chesser and Reuben Ginbey. Chesser and Ginbey have been the club’s top selections in the draft in the past two years.

Significantly, all four of the newcomers were named in the starting 18.

The emergencies are forwards Jake Waterman and Jack Petruccelle and midfielders Connor West and Greg Clark. One of those four players will be allocated the role of the substitute under the AFL’s revamped sub rule.