West Coast has made two changes ahead of the club’s blockbuster Saturday night clash with Brisbane.
The Eagles’ match committee was forced into its first change after four-time all-Australian Jeremy McGovern’s bid to overturn a striking charge at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday was unsuccessful.
He will be replaced in the starting side by 2018 premiership defender Will Schofield, who missed the club’s first two official hitouts of season 2020.
The other switch has also occurred at the back end of the field, with emerging defensive talent Josh Rotham recalled into the senior side for the first time since round 22 last year.
He comes into the team at the expense of Jackson Nelson, who has been omitted from the lineup.
Rotham caught West Coast fans’ eyes with four impressive performances in the 'ones' last year.
He was rock solid on debut in arguably the biggest home and away game of the year, the club’s round three Grand Final replay against Collingwood at the MCG, and held his spot in the side for the first RAC Derby of the year against Fremantle the following week.
The West Perth product made two more appearances at the top level, in rounds 12 versus Sydney and 22 against Richmond, before heading back to the WAFL where he helped the Eagles qualify for the finals in their inaugural state league campaign.
He also capped off 2019 by claiming the WAFL Eagles Trademark Player Award, bestowed on the player deemed best and fairest by his peers.
Four young Eagles will be waiting in the wings on standby this Saturday, with Jake Waterman, Tom Cole, Bailey Williams and Jamaine Jones being listed as the club’s emergencies.
At least 50 West Coast fans will be at The Gabba on Saturday night to cheer on the side and milestone men Andrew Gaff and Jamie Cripps, who will play their 200th and 150th games for the club respectively.
Cripps, who started his career with St Kilda before crossing to the Eagles via a trade at the completion of the 2012 season, will earn life membership with the club upon notching his 150th outing in blue and gold.
Bouncedown at The Gabba is 7.40pm AEST.
Western Australian fans can tune into the live action from 5.30pm WST via 7 Mate, Fox Sports 3, Kayo and the official AFL app.
