Building synergy between proven champions and exuberant youngsters will be a focus for West Coast on the run home, starting against Richmond on Sunday at Optus Stadium, coach Adam Simpson says.
Some big names and key pieces of the puzzle have returned to the senior line-up after a long spell of limited availability, while up to 11 players are set to take the field for the WAFL Eagles on Saturday night.
Dynamic skipper Luke Shuey and decorated defender Shannon Hurn are welcome inclusions for the Tigers bout after overcoming soreness, while Jeremy McGovern and Tom Cole are set to back up following returns from long lay-offs last round in Brisbane.
Cole will start on-field after being the sub at the Gabba and is capable of playing a full match but, like McGovern last week, will be managed if possible.
Meanwhile, small forward Jamie Cripps is set for his third game back after his lengthy stint out with a fractured ankle.
Despite being pleased to have selection pressure at match committee again, Simpson also tempered expectations of the chemistry and form among the playing group immediately returning.
“Having the names on the paper is different to having the form and synergy, so we’ve got to taper that,” Simpson said.
“Our list is unique at the moment. We’ve got between five and 10 first and second-year players playing in the seniors, and then you’ve got veterans.
“When you’ve got that profile, the synergy is important and we’re not going to get that this week, but we might get some names back.
“The list will change quickly in the next one-to-two years with some ageing players winding up and then we go to the draft again.
“Getting the synergy of our best players playing with our kids, we haven’t had that yet and this week might be the first step."
The Eagles have omitted midfielder Xavier O’Neill from the Lions loss, while veteran wingman Andrew Gaff will be the starting sub, with the final team to be confirmed at 3pm WA time on Friday.
“He’s done everything he can to get the best out of himself throughout his whole career. Even in the off-season he came back super-fit, fully committed and he’s desperate to play well,” Simpson said of Gaff.
“He’s doing everything he can, it’s just not coming together on gameday. I suspect part of it is the way we we’re playing but there’s also some confidence there we’re trying to rebuild.”
West Coast’s players are looking forward to returning to their home deck after the blue and gold army’s boisterous support against St Kilda in round 16 had an impact on a stirring performance in a narrow defeat.
“That was awesome, wasn’t it? I think it was a good response from our players but our supporters as well,” Simpson said.
“The turn up for training and the game and the support really helped our players, especially our young players who are trying to deal with this pressure.
“A bit of it is hard to do when you’re 18, but they’re loving it the kids, in particular playing in front of a home crowd.”
Richmond heads west as one of the competition’s form teams and still in contention for finals, only a win and percentage outside the top eight despite sitting 13th on the ladder.
“They’ve won the last four out of five and their brand stacks up the same as what we’ve seen earlier in the year,” Simpson said.
“Their personnel, in particular their quick players are back and they’re playing good footy. It’s the same old Richmond but when they’re at their best they’re really hard to beat and their confidence is high.
“We understand what’s coming. I’m pretty sure we’re still pretty big underdogs this week.”
