Ruckman Matt Flynn, the West Coast Eagles’ primary target in last year’s trade period, and veteran wingman Andrew Gaff have been selected to play against St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
While Flynn will finally get his wings when he makes his club debut the experienced Gaff will play his 277th game for the club, earning a spot in his first senior match since the round one loss to Port Adelaide.
Gaff has forced his way into the team off the back of some commanding performances with the WAFL Eagles, while Flynn plays after just one second-tier game when the Eagles upset Claremont last Saturday.
Flynn, an affable big man who has seamlessly slotted into the club after his arrival from GWS Giants, would have been the first-choice ruckman for round one except for a complex knee/hamstring tendon injury that occurred on the eve of the season.
All of the club’s pre-season match simulation centred around Flynn, who played 33 games for the Giants, leading the ruck with Bailey Williams pushing into a key forward post, the position in which he played most of his formative football.
The 202cm ruckman, the 290th player to represent the club, will wear the famous No.25 jumper that premiership captain Shannon Hurn donned for a record 333 games.
Also coming into the team are half-forward/midfielder Jack Petruccelle, who has recovered from an ankle injury, and key defender Harry Edwards.
Unfortunately, wingman Jayden Hunt (toe), who has been so good for the club since arriving from Melbourne 18 months ago, and defender Josh Rotham (illness) could not be considered while key forward-ruck Jack Williams has been squeezed out and Tyrell Dewar also loses his position.
The emergencies are midfielder Zane Trew, Jack Williams and Jai Culley.
