Four of the club’s developing players have been elevated as the West Coast Eagles eye off victory against Hawthorn in Launceston on Sunday.
Wingman Campbell Chesser, small forward Noah Long, midfielder Zane Trew and defender Rhett Bazzo have all been named on an extended interchange bench in a 26-man squad.
The composition of the starting line-up will be finalised tomorrow ahead of the team’s departure for the Apple Isle.
The only certain omission from the team that lost to Gold Coast last Friday night is veteran forward Jack Darling who could not be considered because of a fractured arm. He bravely continued to play for than a quarter despite the serious nature of the injury.
Chesser, who damaged a knee in the round three loss to Fremantle, made his return to action for the WAFL Eagles against Peel last Saturday while Trew gathered a team high 32 possessions in that defeat at Rushton Park.
Long, in his debut season, has missed the past four games after straining a hamstring while second-year defender Bazzo has missed the past two matches with concussion. He has ticked all the concussion protocols and is ready to resume.
In the absence of Darling, versatile Jake Waterman has been named at centre half-forward.
The Eagles, sitting 17th on the ladder, view this as an opportunity to secure their second win of the season when they confront the team sitting one rung below them.
