West Coast’s hopes of turning their spiralling season around have been boosted by the return of three premiership stars including dual club champion Elliot Yeo but Walyalup have lost Michael Walters.
Yeo (groin), former captain Shannon Hurn (adductor), vice-captain Tom Barrass, as well as midfielder Luke Edwards (both illness), have all been called into the team to tackle the Bombers at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Two-time All-Australian Yeo returns for the first time since the round five loss against Geelong, with the midfield bull to play just his third game for the season after recovering from another injury.
Hurn has recovered from an adductor injury that has sidelined him since round eight, while Barrass and Edwards missed the devastating 116-point loss to Hawthorn in Launceston because of illness.
The Eagles have dropped second-year midfielder Campbell Chesser as well as Xavier O’Neill and last week’s tactical sub Greg Clark, while half-back Jamaine Jones (ankle) and Harry Edwards (groin) will both miss because of injuries.
Forward Oscar Allen will also captain the club for the first time, becoming the fourth player to skipper the side this season after captain Luke Shuey, vice-captain Barrass and Liam Duggan, who has held the role for the past two games.
Veteran Michael Walters will miss Walyalup’s (Fremantle) Saturday blockbuster clash against Narrm (Melbourne) at the MCG with a calf injury, while a surprise uncapped youngster is in the mix for a substitute debut.
Karl Worner was among the Dockers’ 24-player travelling party at Perth Airport on Thursday afternoon but there was no sign of Walters who was later confirmed as the only out for the Dockers.
The 32-year-old was at Cockburn for Wednesday’s main session but didn’t train after a starring three-goal performance in last Saturday’s victory over reigning champs Geelong at Optus Stadium.
Walters has been an important part of Freo’s forward line this season, with his 16 goals the equal-most at the club despite missing the season opener and starting the round two clash as the team’s substitute.
Walters has been a part of Walyalup’s past six wins at the MCG, with their most recent victory at the home of football without the crafty forward coming nine years ago.
In the only change, last week’s sub Matthew Johnson comes into the 22 for Walters.
LINEUPS
Eagles
FB: R Bazzo T Barrass A Witherden
HB: S Hurn J Rotham L Duggan
C: J Hunt T Kelly L Edwards
HF: D Sheed J Waterman J Petruccelle
FF: N Long O Allen C Jamieson
FOL: B Williams E Yeo A Gaff
I/C: R Ginbey B Hough L Foley C West
EMG: C Chesser X O’Neill G Clark Z Trew
IN: T Barrass S Hurn E Yeo
Dockers
FB: B Cox A Pearce H Young
HB: B Walker L Ryan J Aish
C: J Clark J O’Meara N O’Driscoll
HF: S Switkowski N Fyfe M Frederick
FF: M Johnson J Amiss L Schultz
FOL: S Darcy A Brayshaw L Jackson
I/C: J Treacy B Banfield C Serong E Hughes
EMG: S Sturt N Erasmus W Brodie K Worner
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