Four new Eagles will get their wings as West Coast’s next chapter under Andrew McQualter begins against Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Experienced recruits Liam Baker, Jack Graham and Matt Owies will pull on the blue and gold guernsey for the time in an AFL match, while emerging key forward Archer Reid has been confirmed to debut.
Reid will play his first senior game after being drafted from the Gippsland Power via pick 30 in 2023.
Lifelong Eagles fan Baker will live out his childhood dream in front of family and friends, with former Richmond premiership teammate Jack Graham and ex-Carlton goalsneak Owies adding leadership to McQualter’s line-up.
Spearhead Jake Waterman has been named at centre half-forward after missing training on Thursday due to calf tightness.
Electric forward Liam Ryan was not selected in the 26-player squad after experiencing hamstring awareness during the Eagles’ final pre-season match against North Melbourne.
Meanwhile, young guns Noah Long and Elijah Hewett are in the mix to make their long-awaited AFL returns following serious injuries.
Long last played against Essendon in round nine last year, when he sustained a nasty knee injury, while Hewett could play his first game in 568 days after missing all of last season with foot issues.
Both youngsters have been named on the extended interchange bench.
Tyler Brockman, Jack Petruccelle, Ryan Maric, Clay Hall, Bailey Williams and Tyrell Dewar are also on the eight-main bench, which will be pruned to five players and three emergencies at 2pm AWST on Friday.
