Eagles drop highly-touted rookie AGAIN as Dockers swing axe

West Coast have dropped a highly-touted first-round pick for the second time in the space of a month despite their personnel crisis as the Dockers axe a trio.

Chesser and fellow midfielder Xavier O’Neill both lost their spots for the Eagles’ clash against Sydney at the SCG on Saturday, while forward Jack Williams has been inserted for just the second game of his fledging career.

The axing continues a difficult start to AFL life for Chesser, who was West Coast’s first selection of the 2021 draft at pick 14.

After the youngster missed all of his debut year following a pre-season ankle injury, Chesser played the first three games of this season before suffering a knee injury in the round three western derby.

He was recalled for the round 10 clash with Hawthorn and the Eagles’ most recent loss to Adelaide, but has gone straight back out of the side on both occasions.

Both Chesser and O’Neill – who was dropped for the third time this season – travelled with the team and one will be the tactical sub.

They were among four outs for a West Coast side coming off a 122-point thumping at the hands of the Crows, with Greg Clark (foot) and Luke Foley (hamstring) unavailable because of injury.

The Eagles regained defender Liam Duggan from a toe infection and suspension, vice-captain Tom Barrass from a groin injury and first-year midfielder Elijah Hewett from a concussion.

But the shock came in the inclusion of Williams, 19, who has played just three games in the WAFL this season after rupturing his spleen in an innocuous training incident in February.

Fremantle have dropped a trio of players in the wake of their 70-point drubbing against Greater Western Sydney ahead of a crucial clash against Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

Forwards Bailey Banfield, Sam Sturt and winger Nathan O’Driscoll have paid the price for the Dockers’ biggest loss under coach Justin Longmuir as they look to get their season on track after back-to-back defeats since the bye.

Banfield has played 12 of a possible 13 games this season, booting 10 goals, but was goalless in the past two weeks including two disposals against Richmond in round 13 before getting subbed out and seven against the Giants the following game.

As flagged by Longmuir on Thursday morning, ruckman Sean Darcy (hamstring) and speedster Michael Frederick (ankle) are back from their respective injuries but midfielder James Aish (back) has suffered a fresh setback.

Sturt, who kicked 2.2 last week after coming in as a late inclusion for Frederick, and O’Driscoll were named in the emergencies alongside the uncapped Karl Worner and ex-Gold Coast Sun Josh Corbett who are all a chance of being the substitute.

Banfield didn’t even make the 26.

Young midfielder Neil Erasmus was rewarded for his impressive sub performance against the Giants, where he amassed 10 disposals in a little over a quarter, with a place in the 22.

As expected, Bombers ruck Sam Draper (hip) won’t play and gun midfielder Darcy Parish makes his return from a calf injury.