West Coast will unveil a fourth 2023 debutant in round two with exciting talent Elijah Hewett given the green light to face Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Senior coach Adam Simpson confirmed on Friday morning that Hewett will be in the 23 as the starting substitute, following in the footsteps of round one first-gamers Reuben Ginbey, Noah Long and Campbell Chesser – who have all retained their spots.

Hewett was drafted with the club’s second pick last November at No.14 overall and impressed in the WAFL practice match against Claremont last Saturday.

The 18-year-old mid-forward will become the 282nd Eagle to pull on the wings in an AFL match. 

"Ideally you play in the starting 22 but where he's at it's the perfect fit," Simpson said of the decision to make Hewett the sub.

"He had a pretty good game last week against Claremont and he's AFL ready, probably just not full-game levels just yet but if he had to come on earlier I think we'd back him in anyway.

"It's the start of a long journey. We've just got to be careful we don't put too much expectation on these kids, but getting them in the side early and exposing them to the high level and the pressure and that sort of stuff and then being patient at the same time, that's the next step."

West Coast’s final team will be revealed at 2pm AWST on Friday but Simpson confirmed Callum Jamieson will play for the WAFL Eagles, leaving Bailey Williams to lead the ruck against Giants big man Matt Flynn.

Pleasingly, Jai Culley and Rhett Bazzo will return via the WAFL Eagles against East Perth.

West Coast’s injury list is relatively short, however star duo Nic Naitanui (Achilles) and Elliot Yeo (calf) remain sidelined, robbing the side of two key contested ball winners in midfield.

The Eagles came under fire externally for losing contested possession by 37 against North Melbourne, and Simpson acknowledged the team needed to address a poor second quarter which proved costly against the Roos. 

“That’s part of our industry, isn’t it? If you don’t perform well you cop criticism and then you move on,” Simpson said.

“I think we accept it and we do try and do something about it. The media doesn’t influence what we do.

“We weren’t happy with the way we played, in particular the second quarter, and we think we’re better than that.

“That’s our challenge is to improve on last week and we’re a different side – we’re not the same side as last year – but we’ve got to prove to ourselves as much as anyone we’re capable of more.”

After sticking by the club during a tough 2022, the Eagles hope a large crowd attends Sunday’s 3.20pm clash to support the team as they aim to get on the board for 2023. 

Simpson was wary of the talented Giants line-up, led by star forward Toby Greene, who kicked 4.4 in a comeback win over Adelaide in round one.

“They’ve got some high-end talent in that team and they seem rejuvenated with their style of play,” Simpson said.

“He’s one of many but he’s their leader and their spiritual leader and if he gets off the chain he can drag the whole team over the line.

“We need to put some work into him.”