Premiership players Jeremy McGovern and Elliot Yeo will return to the starting 22 as the West Coast Eagles prepare for the challenge against Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

McGovern, who has missed the last two matches after entering concussion protocols, and Yeo, who played as the substitute player last week have been named in the line-up.

Unfortunately, the inclusion of two flag stars comes with two others exiting – continuing a pattern over the last year or two. Veteran Shannon Hurn, who announced this week he would retire at season’s end, and midfielder Dom Sheed could not be considered.

Hurn has been managed after pulling up sore following a best-on-ground effort against North Melbourne last Sunday while Sheed has a ‘hot spot’ in a foot and will be rested. There is a chance Sheed will miss the last month of the season, but his injury will be more thoroughly assessed in the next week.

Young defender Rhett Bazzo has also been managed and will be rested across the weekend.

Also resuming in the senior team is experienced defender Josh Rotham, who returned via the WAFL Eagles a couple of weeks ago having recuperated from a fractured thumb. 

Among the emergencies vying for the role of the substitute is versatile midfielder Greg Clark, forward Isiah Winder, defender Luke Foley and ruckman Callum Jamieson.

Should Winder make the final 23 it will be his first senior game of the season after suffering an early season knee injury.

His form in the WAFL in the last few weeks has been eye-catching.