Star defender Jeremy McGovern won’t be risked for the trip to face Sydney at the SCG after pulling up with hamstring tightness from main training on Wednesday.
While reigning John Worsfold medallist Tom Barrass will be back from a hip complaint, and Liam Duggan returns from suspension and a leg infection, a “flat” McGovern will be managed conservatively coming back from hamstring tendon surgery.
“It’s a 14-week injury and he’s been 12 weeks and he fully trained yesterday, but he just pulled up a bit tight so we’ve just got to be careful,” coach Adam Simpson said on Thursday.
“He’ll be another week or two and we’re really pushing for this week. Our expectation was that he was going to play.
“It’s probably a sign that he wasn’t fully ready the way he pulled up yesterday.”
Barrass’ return adds critical size to West Coast’s backline, with the gun left-footer likely to partner youngster Rhett Bazzo in the key posts.
“We’re a bit light for talls. We think Barrass coming back in though will help that. We didn’t have Barrass, McGovern or (Shannon) Hurn for Adelaide and that really put us under the pump, and young Bazzo is 19 and was playing his (15th) game,” Simpson said.
“That’s going to be reality for us for a while with our list at the moment with a lot of guys due to come back round 17 or 18.
“The health of our list is not going to get a lot better – it’s going to sit around the 30 (players available) mark at best, which makes it difficult to get the team you want on the park, but also gives opportunity.”
The Eagles will have a more balanced blend of youth and experience against the Swans, with young gun Elijah Hewett also on the plane to Sydney and a chance to play following concussion prior to the bye against Collingwood.
Simpson confirmed Jake Waterman “will be weeks” before he returns as he recovers from a medical condition that saw him admitted to hospital recently.
With Hurn (hamstring), Tom Cole (ankle) and Jamie Cripps (ankle) close to returning, the Eagles are hoping for a boost in coming weeks, but rebuilding confidence and synergy amongst the playing group will take time.
“The confidence we’re trying to instill in our group, it’s hard, we haven’t won many games of football,” Simpson said.
“Coming off a 100-point-plus loss and getting the confidence and belief in our side, that’s my challenge to them.
“But the way they attack training, their attitude around the club, their commitment they’ve made to each other and to me is first-class.
“Hopefully we can get it all together and click and get on the same field together.
“But this week is what we’re aiming for and hopefully we can take a step forward this week.”
