West Coast coach Adam Simpson says premiership tagger Mark Hutchings has earned his opportunity to return to the side for “special” defender Jeremy McGovern’s milestone match.
Hutchings was one of four inclusions for the crucial St Kilda clash, alongside spearhead Josh Kennedy, versatile forward Jake Waterman and emerging midfielder Xavier O’Neill.
The 30-year-old has been beset by injuries across the past two seasons, particularly iliotibial band and hamstring issues, and managed only three appearances last year.
But Hutchings has put together an outstanding block of WAFL form to earn a recall, including a 30-disposal, three-goal effort against Swan Districts last start before he was travelling emergency for last round’s win over Adelaide.
“The fact is he’s worked really hard,” Simpson said.
“He’s been building, it’s just taken a while to get to the point where he was going to be available. He’s back in the side and the boys are pretty happy about that.”
West Coast has explored its youth in recent weeks, but Hutchings’ maturity, aerobic ability and defensive mindset could be valuable against a dangerous Saints engine room which has propelled the visitors to three wins from the past four games.
“Definitely. His ability to lock someone down, he’s fit, he’s a good runner, he’s mature as well,” Simpson said.
“All the things that are pretty predictable with him he needs to bring. That’s our expectation.”
Simpson has seen St Kilda’s defence tightened up across the past month and expected a fierce battle against the 11th placed side, which is only a win behind West Coast in seventh spot.
“I think they’re probably ranked number one the way we look at it the last four weeks with their team ‘D’. Their contest work and midfield work has been really good as well,” he said.
“They really touched us up last time we played. They look like they’ve been really well coached.
“I think ‘Ratts’ (coach Brett Ratten) has done a great job with them, turning their season around.
“The last three weeks they’re probably top four, where they sit on the last four weeks’ ladder.”
Despite the obvious disappointment of losing captain Luke Shuey to a minor calf strain, Simpson believed it was fitting McGovern would skipper the side in his 150th game, which will see him earn life membership at the club.
The four-time All Australian and 2018 premiership hero has developed into one of the Eagles’ greatest-ever defenders after a rocky start to his career, when the former rookie learned the hard way about elite standards.
“He had talent, probably just didn’t understand what it was like to be a professional AFL player. That happens to some of the kids we draft,” Simpson said.
“He’s really smart, 'Gov'. He worked out real quick what he needed to do. A lot of it is his work ethic and ability to read the right cues.
“Early on he probably just needed some guidance. Since he turned that around it’s been self-driven a lot.
“I think his first game … we pushed him forward late and he kicked the goal that won the game for us.
“There’s some special moments with ‘Gov’ throughout his career that we’ll all remember. The goal after the siren (against Port Adelaide), the Grand Final, all those things.
“He’s been special from the start. Since he’s been playing seniors he’s been right up there in All Australian form.
“He’s done really well.”
