The West Coast Eagles will resemble the department of youth when they travel to Sydney to play Carlton at the SCG on Sunday.

Coach Adam Simpson hinted at his media conference earlier in the day that there might be opportunities for some of the younger players in the squad and that was ratified with two possible debutants and four others who have played a total 27 games in the 26-man squad.

Unfortunately, that means the attrition rate from last Saturday night’s loss to Essendon has grown even further.

Star midfielder Tim Kelly (knee) and tall utility player Oscar Allen (concussion) were obvious omissions as early as half-time against the Bombers.

Today, champion forward Josh Kennedy (sore), utility player Brendon Ah Chee (calf) and athletic swing man Jarrod Brander (adductor) were also unable to be considered for selection.

As the match committee sought to maintain balance, a number of younger players were included in the squad, with emerging midfielder Luke Edwards poised to make his senior debut after being listed in the starting 18.

The son of former Adelaide champion Tyson Edwards, the strongly built youngster has been on the cusp of a senior start for a number of weeks, so impressive has he been for the WAFL Eagles.

Xavier O’Neill will add to his seven games after being named at half-forward.

Another midfielder drafted last year, Zane Trew, is also a possibility to debut at senior level after being named on an extended eight-man bench.

Others listed on that bench include half-back Luke Foley (two games), key defender Harry Edwards (four), forward-ruckman Bailey Williams (seven) and midfielder Brayden Ainsworth (14).

Some sense of experience exists within the group from which the four interchange and the medical sub will be chosen, with premiership ruckman Nathan Vardy, GWS recruit Zac Langdon and defender Josh Rotham all named.