West Coast are set to be with out star ruckman Nic Naitanui till not less than spherical 5 as his Achilles harm continues to derail the beginning of his season.
Coach Adam Simpson has regularly mentioned Naitanui, 32, was a week-to-week proposition to return, however has now conceded the three-time All-Australian is not less than a couple of weeks away.
Simpson mentioned Naitanui was not prone to function till the Eagles tackle Geelong in Gather Round in a fortnight.
“He’s going to be a couple of weeks before we get that rebuild going,” Simpson instructed 7NEWS.
It means the Eagles will go up in opposition to the Dockers pairing of Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy with out the two-time John Worsfold medallist, however they may regain Callum Jamieson.
Jamieson rolled his ankle within the WAFL on Saturday, however Simpson mentioned he hoped the 22-year-old could be out there for choice.
“We tried the one ruck this week with Jake (Waterman) in the second ruck role and it worked pretty well against the Giants who had the same setup,” Simpson mentioned.
“I’m not sure how it’s going to look against Fremantle with the two A-grade ruckman working against one young ruckman coming through.
“Hopefully Jamo will be available for selection if required.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Elliot Yeo’s calf harm is ready to maintain him out of the Western Derby on Sunday, leaving the Eagles wanting expertise to tackle a determined, winless Fremantle.
“I don’t think he’ll be playing. He will have to make a remarkable recovery this week,” Simpson mentioned.
“If he doesn’t train on Thursday, he won’t play and he’s more unlikely than likely to do that.
“We’re hoping it’s next week if it’s not this week. Yeoy is a bit closer than Nic at the moment.”
Naitanui and Yeo each made appearances on the mild coaching session on Monday afternoon however didn’t even be a part of the crew in a lightweight stroll across the oval, as a substitute spending time handballing with draftee Coby Burgiel, who has a hamstring harm.
Simpson mentioned he was happy with the position prime draftee Reuben Ginbey did on Greater Western Sydney star Tom Green of their win on Sunday.
“I actually thought he did a reasonably good job,” Simpson mentioned.
“Tom still had his 27 possessions and a fair few first possessions around the stoppages, but it’s good for him to learn.
“I thought he held up pretty well, still had 17 possessions himself and six tackles, he’s a very predictable player young Reuben. We’re really happy with him.”
Meanwhile, West Coast defender Luke Foley has been suspended for one week after being discovered responsible of placing East Perth’s Ethan Regan in a pre-season recreation on Saturday.
The incident was graded as Intentional conduct, medium affect and physique contact, with Foley’s two-game ban being downgraded to only one with an early responsible plea.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
