West Coast could have to get creative down back if defensive pillar Tom Barrass fails to overcome a shoulder issue in time for Sunday’s RAC Derby, coach Adam Simpson says.

The Eagles will be without four-time All Australian centre half back Jeremy McGovern (groin) against Fremantle and Barrass is racing to be fit following a bruising loss in Geelong.

Young tall Harry Edwards has been confirmed to replace McGovern, and Oscar Allen – who booted five goals against Collingwood two weeks ago – could be needed to showcase his versatility yet again by manning a key post in defence.

“We’ve got to get creative I suppose if we don’t have McGovern or Barrass,” Simpson said during the RAC Derby coaches media conference via video link from Optus Stadium.

“Shannon Hurn will come back into the side (from a calf strain) so that will be good for our leadership and strength down back.

“Oscar Allen has played down back before – we tried that at training yesterday. We can play a smaller backline and be as flexible as we can. 

“We’re still holding out hope (Barrass will play). He just got a knock really late in the game on the shoulder.

“He didn’t have another contest after it, so he couldn’t really test it out. We’re sort of leaving it to the last minute.

“We’ll test him out tomorrow morning. We won’t be mucking around, if he’s not in, he’s not in.

“But we’ll give him every chance to play.”

Edwards debuted against Geelong last season but was concussed early in the second term after a promising start.

The Swan Districts product is still developing physically but has a competitive streak which should hold in good stead against the likes of Matt Taberner and Rory Lobb.

“He’s 200cm, he’s grown probably 10cm in a year and a half. He’s competitive, we think he’s ready – as ready as he can be at the moment – we need him to stand up for us and play like he’s played 50 games,” Simpson said.

Hurn and champion forward Josh Kennedy (ankle) are confirmed starters following injury lay-offs, while Simpson declared Tim Kelly and Jamie Cripps (ribs) would play following lighter weeks on the training track.

The Eagles have won 10-straight clashes with Fremantle but that will count for nothing when the ball is bounced against the in-form Dockers, who are seventh on the ladder with four wins, compared to the Eagles who are 3-3.

Simpson challenged his players to sustain their effort and bridge the gap between their best and worst, irrespective of the fact several key players are sidelined.

“We were really disappointed last week, absolutely. We’ve been inconsistent this year,” he said.

“Having said that, the two games we lost prior to Geelong I thought we were in winning positions and three-quarter time, so we haven’t been consistent over four quarters really for most of the year.

“I said this against Geelong last week and it’s pretty true, if we can’t play four quarters of footy this week we won’t win.

“That’s our goal, that’s our challenge.

“Regardless of personnel we want to play a brand people are proud of win, lose or draw, so that’s our challenge this week.”