The West Coast Eagles are confident of regaining Dom Sheed for Saturday’s clash against Richmond, a month after the midfielder was struck by an errant elbow to the throat at training.
Sheed is the only Eagle set to return this weekend, however the club is optimistic a host of young players including Campbell Chesser, Brady Hough, Harry Edwards, Elijah Hewett and Noah Long are not far away.
Rhett Bazzo will miss the Tigers clash due to the AFL’s concussion protocols, while Samo Petrevski-Seton is suspended for one match and also dealing with a corked quad.
Sheed has been non-contact training recently while awaiting specialist approval to play and is expected to be on the flight to Melbourne for his first game since the round three RAC Derby.
“Dom was very close to being available to play last week but we took the specialist’s advice and he is very likely to play this week,” Head of Health Mark Finucane told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“He has a final check with the specialist later in the week but we’re expecting to see him available for Richmond.”
Chesser (knee) and Hough (hamstring) are aiming to be available for the next home game against Gold Coast, with Edwards (wrist) also a chance to put his hand up for the Friday night match.
Two-time John Worsfold medallists Elliot Yeo (groin) and Luke Shuey (ankle/hamstring) are progressing their workloads.
“Elliot has turned the corner in terms of his day-to-day awareness and his straight-line running,” Finucane said.
“He’s had a good strong session this morning and then he needs to build his strength in the gym concurrently with his on-ground progressions, his change of direction and kicking and then moving into his football progressions.
“Luke has just commenced his running. He’s had a couple of on-ground stints. The ankle has felt more comfortable today, is what he’s reported, compared to his first run on Saturday.”
Champion defender Jeremy McGovern (hamstring) and back pocket Tom Cole (ankle) are part of the rehab group aiming to return closer to the mid-season bye, alongside Nic Naitanui (Achilles) who has been working hard in the gym.
“Coley is walking comfortably and is doing some good work in the cardio room and in the gym,” Finucane said.
“He has another week and we’ll get a repeat of his scan and that will guide his build to prepare to run again.
“Jeremy has been commencing his on-ground running. He will build his running conditioning, but his real focus now is getting stronger in the gym before he can introduce anything of high intensity.”
Injury list:
Rhett Bazzo Concussion TBC
Coby Burgiel Hamstring 3 weeks
Campbell Chesser Knee 1 week
Tom Cole Ankle 9-10 weeks
Jamie Cripps Ankle 12-14 weeks
Harry Edwards Wrist 1-2 weeks
Elijah Hewett Ankle 2-3 weeks
Brady Hough Hamstring 1 week
Noah Long Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Jeremy McGovern Hamstring 7-8 weeks
Nic Naitanui Achilles 7-8 weeks
Samo Petrevski-Seton Quad TBC
Liam Ryan Hamstring 10-12 weeks
Dom Sheed Throat Test
Luke Shuey Ankle/Hamstring 4-5 weeks
Jack Williams Spleen 4 weeks
Isiah Winder Knee TBC
Elliot Yeo Groin 3-4 weeks
