The West Coast Eagles will confront the challenge of Carlton Draught Derby XLII without another senior player.
Midfield hard nut Scott Selwood has been ruled out with an ankle complaint for Sunday’s clash against Fremantle, and will seek further advice on the injury that has impeded his influence in the last two years.
Click here to view the 25-man squad
The absence of Selwood is compounded by the loss of key defender Jeremy McGovern and forward Mark LeCras.
McGovern resumed against Hawthorn last Saturday after missing two weeks with a hamstring strain, but re-injured the muscle late in the game, while LeCras is serving a one-game suspension.
Combined with the loss of ruckman Nic Naitanui, who remains in Fiji after the sudden passing of his mother, West Coast will go into this match with a host of regular players missing.
The match committee has added six players to form a 25-man squad, which will tomorrow be reduced to the starting 22.
Forward Josh Hill, midfielder Brant Colledge, ruckman Callum Sinclair, defenders Tom Barrass and Jamie Bennell, and wingman Kane Lucas have all been named in the extended team.
Sinclair is likely to return after missing last week’s game against Hawthorn, while Barrass and Bennell are seeking opportunities in the back half.
If the match committee is looking to replace like-for-like, Barrass is the obvious substitution for McGovern.
Colledge has been in strong form for East Perth all season, but has received just one opportunity so far this year, while Lucas has been in eye-catching touch in the last six weeks for the Royals. Both are itching for a chance.
Hill missed last week, while Bennell was best on ground in a 10-point win for East Perth against Claremont.
