Jarrod Brander has been told it's only a matter of time before he makes his West Coast debut but the mobile tall isn't pre-empting a call-up as the Eagles sweat on star forward Jack Darling's ankle scans.

Brander looms as an option for coach Adam Simpson if Darling is unavailable when the Eagles return from their mid-season bye against Sydney at the SCG.

Brander, touted as a possible No.1 draft pick last year before sliding to 13^th overall, has been on the selection fringes in 2018 as the League-leading Eagles have regenerated through youth.

"He's (Simpson) told me that it's when, not if for me this year and when an opportunity comes I'll hopefully get one," Brander said.

"I think if I was to step into the AFL team at all this year I wouldn't be playing the same role as Jack has been playing.

"He's obviously a lot bigger than me and a lot more experienced.

"I think if I played for the Eagles I'd probably look to play a bit higher up the ground and be the connector from the backline to the wing, but I'm not too sure."

Brander did his selection chances no harm in East Perth's four-goal loss to West Perth on Monday.

The hard-running 195cm forward started the game strongly, showcasing his clean hands and kicking a gun-barrel-straight 50m set shot in the opening term as Simpson watched from the grandstand.

On a difficult day for Royals forwards, Brander finished with 14 disposals and seven marks.

West Coast might opt for a smaller attack if Darling is ruled out and reshuffle Jake Waterman into a marking role, with high-flying Liam Ryan also in the mix to return from his long-term ankle injury.

But if Brander becomes the Eagles' seventh debutant this year, the 19-year-old will feel prepared after learning plenty from watching Darling and dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy up close.

"Just how they work together as a forward line. They're both so unselfish as well," he said.

"Jack's obviously a great runner and a great athlete as well, and that's my profile. I think I can use my strengths and be like that.

"I'm trying to add a little bit of weight … and working on my contested marking to become a better threat in the air."

East Perth coach Luke Webster was confident Brander could have an impact if he is called up, believing his pace and workrate would hold him in good stead.

"If he gets an opportunity I think he'd compete really well and be pretty comfortable at that level," Webster said.

"Then it just would be up to Simmo to which they go with how they want to structure their forward line.

"But there are some kids there playing some reasonably good footy and could hopefully fill that void if Jack's not going to be there for a while."

Despite going down to West Perth for a third straight loss, there were positives for Webster with ruck-forward Nathan Vardy (24 hit-outs, three marks, one goal) competing strongly in his second game since his adductor setback.  

"He's building really nicely. He was probably an inch off taking nine marks for the whole day," Webster said.

"He got his hand to a lot and just couldn't quite hold onto them. But that will come with playing more footy."

Young defender Oscar Allen (17 disposals, eight marks) tried hard in a key defensive post opposed to matchwinner Tyler Keitel (six goals), while Brayden Ainsworth and Luke Partington (25 disposals each) both found plenty of the ball.