Bring in the youth!
West Coast has called on two of its brightest fledglings to cover the loss of superstar midfielder Luke Shuey (hamstring) and emerging small forward Jamaine Jones (hamstring) ahead of the club’s round six clash with Adelaide.
Third-year onballer Brayden Ainsworth has got the nod to take the captain’s position in the centre line, while entertaining goalsneak Jarrod Cameron will slot into the Eagles’ attacking arc to replace Jones.
It’s been a long time between games for the workman-like Ainsworth, who last suited up for the club’s senior team in Round 16, 2018.
Saturday will be his fourth outing in West Coast’s revered wings and he will be looking to exact some revenge on Adelaide after playing in the team’s Round 15, 2018 loss to the Crows.
Cameron will don blue and gold for the first time since Round 20 last year.
The Swan Districts product burst onto the AFL scene last year, booting 11 goals from seven senior outings, including back-to-back bags of four majors against Fremantle and Collingwood in rounds 16 and 17 respectively.
It appeared that his second year in the senior ranks might be derailed by a nagging groin injury, but the plucky 20-year-old has put in the hard yards on and away from the training track to get himself back to full fitness.
Both Ainsworth and Cameron have shown good form in recent scrimmage outings, the former winning plenty of the ball and the latter proving he has not lost his nous around the big sticks.
While Saturday will undoubtedly be a special day for Ainsworth and Cameron, it will also be a memorable occasion for Jeremy McGovern, who is set to captain the side for the first time.
Senior coach Adam Simpson announced on Wednesday that the four-time all-Australian, who is joint vice-captain alongside powerhouse forward Josh Kennedy, would lead the Eagles onto the Gabba.
The club has named young quartet Jack Petruccelle, Hamish Brayshaw, Bailey Williams and Josh Rotham as emergencies for the game.
Western Australian fans will be able to catch all the action live on Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo and the official AFL Live app from 1pm AWST.
