Young guns Elijah Hewett and Noah Long will make their long-awaited AFL returns in Sunday’s season-opener against Gold Coast at Optus Stadium.

The exciting duo have been named on the five-man interchange bench alongside Tyler Brockman, Ryan Maric and Tyrell Dewar in West Coast’s round one team.

Two of the shining lights among the Eagles’ next generation, Hewett and Long were both cruelled by long-term injuries in their second seasons.

Hewett missed all of last year with foot problems, and will play his first game since round 24, 2023 against Adelaide – a wait of 568 days.

Long is back for his first appearance since a knee injury in round nine last season prematurely ended his campaign.

Brockman, Maric and Dewar have all been rewarded for impressive pre-seasons under first-year coach Andrew McQualter.

Brockman’s class has shone around goals, while Dewar has been electrifying on a wing and Maric relished a move to half-back in a creative role.

Debutant Archer Reid appears set to back up Matt Flynn in the ruck against Jarrod Witts after Bailey Williams was named as an emergency for the Eagles.

Jack Petruccelle and Clay Hall are also emergencies for the 3.10pm bouncedown.

One of Hewett, Brockman, Long, Maric and Dewar will be named starting sub an hour before the match begins. 

Sunday’s match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7plus in WA, and nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo.