Tom Barrass and Nathan Vardy’s availability could have a ripple effect on West Coast’s selection for Sunday’s clash with Hawthorn, with both big men attempting to prove their fitness for the trip east.
Gun full-back Barrass is pushing to return earlier than first expected following a shoulder complaint and would be a welcome addition to an injury-depleted defence also missing Jeremy McGovern (groin) and Shannon Hurn (calf).
Youngsters Oscar Allen and Harry Edwards held up the key defensive posts admirably in the RAC Derby triumph, however Allen could return to the forward line pending Barrass' comeback.
“The question about Oscar Allen comes into play if he (Barrass) is available. Ideally I think Oscar’s a forward,” coach Adam Simpson said on Thursday.
“So there is a ripple (effect). We were pretty happy with our defence last week. I thought Oscar played his part and young Harry Edwards for his second game in a Derby I thought he worked into the game quite well.
“He looked a bit shaky early but once they settled and we dried up the supply a little bit we looked OK.”
High-leaping ruck-forward Bailey Williams is also in the selection frame as the Eagles weigh up their best mix for the MCG clash with Vardy (foot) under a cloud.
However, Allen could also be called on to pinch-hit in support of star ruck Nic Naitanui, with Simpson waiting to see how the pieces fit at match committee.
Williams showed plenty of promise in three games last season and had 12 touches plush 18 hit-outs in the WAFL Eagles’ heavy loss to Peel on Sunday to keep his hand in the air.
“Unfortunately for our WAFL Eagles we’re so light on, we’ve got eight or nine (AFL-listed) guys playing at best, and it’s hard to get a real good form line when you’re getting beaten by 80 points,” Simpson said.
“But they’re fighting their hardest, they’re playing with good spirit and Bailey is part of that, so he’s definitely in the mix.”
The Eagles will be aiming to build on their four-quarter performance from RAC Derby No.52 against the Hawks, who are coming off a 69-point defeat to St Kilda but have always been a challenge on their home ground.
“They’ve been a bit like us, really. Their best is really damaging,” Simpson said.
“They’ve kicked multiple goals in a row, they’ve come back from big deficits twice this year that tells us that their momentum swings are a bit like us.
“On the positive note, they can score quickly and they’re very dangerous. They’ve got some good soldiers coming back in and they’re playing at the MCG.”
West Coast snuck home by six points thanks to a late Jamie Cripps snap last time the teams met at the ‘G in 2019, and Simpson expects another significant challenge as his side searches to end a run of three consecutive interstate losses this season.
“Winning’s important. We just want to play consistently everywhere,” Simpson said.
“We’re desperate to play well, play four quarters and hopefully have a win. We’re also aware of the situation we’re in with our personnel.
“We thought we were really brave on the weekend and that’s what we expect this week.”
