Star West Coast duo Elliot Yeo and Nic Naitanui are set to fall quick of their bid to play in Sunday’s western derby in opposition to Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
Yeo (calf) and Naitanui (Achilles tendon) missed the opening two rounds by harm, and Eagles coach Adam Simpson is eager to take a cautious method with the veteran pair.
Naitanui’s situation has dragged on for greater than a month now, whereas the Eagles are further cautious with Yeo given his historical past of soppy tissue accidents.
“He’s more unlikely than likely, Yeo. Same with Nic, so we can knock that on the head,” Simpson stated following his staff’s 19-point win over GWS on Sunday.
“(Yeo) has done a lot of calves over the last three or four years. It’s a long year.”
Naitanui’s continued absence means Jake Waterman may once more play the pinch-hitting ruck function to help Bailey Williams in opposition to Fremantle energy duo Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
Waterman booted a career-high 4 objectives in opposition to the Giants, and he additionally tallied eight hit-outs in a useful ruck cameo.
Simpson may even take into account taking part in Oscar Allen within the pinch-hitting ruck function, whereas Jack Darling is more likely to proceed along with his part-time ruck duties when the ball is within the ahead line.
Fremantle enter the derby 0-2 after struggling shock losses to St Kilda (15 factors) and North Melbourne (one level).
The Dockers’ want for extra X-factor may end in Nathan O’Driscoll incomes a recall if he is prepared for AFL motion following a pre-season foot harm.
Midfielder Matt Johnson might be handed an AFL debut following a powerful pre-season.
West Coast received the clearance and contested battle in opposition to GWS, and the Eagles had been extra daring of their ball motion.
It was in stark distinction to their opening-round loss to North Melbourne.
Simpson preferred what he noticed at occasions in opposition to GWS, however he additionally noticed loads of areas to enhance.
“Did it feel good? I’m not getting carried away, I’m really not,” Simpson stated.
“We executed what we wanted to. At stages it looked sharp, and at stages it was poor.
“Win lose or draw subsequent week, we’re attempting to construct a bottom line, get some expertise by our checklist, expose some youngsters, and get our leaders to play pretty much as good as they will.
“That’s what we’re working on, that’s our plan. Next week is really important, but it’s not grand final week.”
Fremantle have received the previous three derbies, however West Coast nonetheless lead the general head-to-head tally 32-23.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
