In-form onballer Jack Redden is more than willing to sacrifice midfield minutes for returning duo Luke Shuey and Tim Kelly as West Coast gathers a near full-strength squad and attempts to build momentum following an epic win over Richmond.
Redden credited enjoying his footy and opportunity for his superb touch this season, with the 30-year-old averaging a career-best 26.2 disposals per game as a constant in the engine room alongside Dom Sheed and Andrew Gaff.
But with the reintroduction of Elliot Yeo in recent weeks, followed by Shuey and Kelly’s imminent returns from injury, Redden is selflessly prepared to spend more time rotating through wing and half-forward.
“It’s going to be better for the team (having a full-strength midfield). As long as we’re winning I don’t really mind in that regard,” Redden said.
“Probably a little bit more time on the bench even, as well. That’s just the way it is and I just want to win games, qualify as quick as we can and hopefully play finals.”
Coming off two gutsy wins before the bye, the Eagles are building confidence and also have Jeremy McGovern (knee), Brad Sheppard (concussion), Jarrod Brander (adductor), Jack Petruccelle (hamstring), Alex Witherden (groin) and Brendon Ah Chee (calf) close to returning.
But the club faces another massive test against the red-hot Western Bulldogs next Sunday at Optus Stadium.
“It’s always good to go into a bye with a win like that (over Richmond). Good belief coming out of that game and I think we’re in a good spot as a team,” Redden said.
“Hopefully it is (a chance to build momentum). We’ve obviously got some good players coming back after the bye.
“We had a little bit of a tough patch there for a while, so to finish off the first half of the season with two wins with a schedule change in there as well is good for the side.
“At the same time we played a lot of young kids as well, so got a few games into them, so it’s good for the club.
“There’s going to be some tough decisions for the club also with some good talent coming back.”
Shuey is set to appear in the WAFL for the first time since 2010 against Subiaco on Saturday after building confidence in his hamstrings with a heavy training block post-surgery.
Small forward Willie Rioli is also set for a intense training period when he returns to the club from Sunday before he is available to play football in late August.
