West Coast skipper Luke Shuey will miss Sunday’s road trip to face the Western Bulldogs but is a chance to be back for the Eagles’ round three clash with Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium.
Shuey is making good progress from his minor hamstring strain and will aim to tick off another key milestone later this week.
“Luke is progressing really well. This Saturday he has got his acceleration/deceleration speed sign off that we do as part of the hamstring protocol and looking at reintegrating into the group next week as part of his build back to play,” West Coast physiotherapist Mark Finucane said.
“He’s still in that one-to-two-week range but everything is going really well so far.”
Another dual club champion, Elliot Yeo, completed some change of direction work on Tuesday morning and is close to participating in some more football drills with the broader group.
“'Yeoy' is on the verge of integrating back in with some of the work with the group which is his next step in his progress,” Finucane said.
“We want to get a gentle introduction of that and make sure that he tolerates that and then we’ll get a clearer picture about his build on his fitness where he’s coming from before we project his return to play window.”
Several young Eagles are also taking positive steps forward, including Bailey Williams (ankle), Jake Waterman (back) and Jarrod Cameron (groin).
Ruck-forward Williams is back training with the main group and building his fitness base ahead of a playing return.
“Because he’s had that month or so where we’ve got to let the ankle settle down he’s got to go through a mini pre-season, if you like,” Finucane said.
“Jake joined the group last week so he got a game-like GPS look at training last Thursday. We want to see a couple of those before guys return to play,
“He’ll have another big hitout with the main group this Thursday and then we’re looking at a return to play probably through the WAFL in round one, so (the weekend of) AFL round three.
“’Camo’ joined the group last week so we’re just looking at progressing the amount of training minutes that he gets as part of his rebuild.
“Hopefully see him back out in game time in a couple of weeks.”
In other news, Oscar Allen was wearing a guard on Tuesday to rest an inflamed wrist, however the exciting young tall will be fine to take on the Dogs.
Developing ruck Callum Jamieson (groin) is set for game minutes in Friday night’s WAFL practice match, while premiership midfielder Mark Hutchings (knee) will soon be back in full training.
“Another one who maybe later this week but certainly next week we’ll see in with the group and then again that mini pre-season build to rejoin game minutes,” Finucane said.
Injury list:
Jarrod Cameron Groin 3-4 weeks
Mark Hutchings Knee 3-4 weeks
Luke Shuey Hamstring 1-2 weeks
Daniel Venables Concussion TBC
Jake Waterman Back 1 week
Bailey Williams Ankle 2-3 weeks
Elliot Yeo Groin TBC