West Coast coach Adam Simpson says Rhett Bazzo obtained nearly a season’s value of expertise in the course of the Eagles’ triple-figure loss to Adelaide, however he hopes the teenage defender will not must endure related ache once more.
With West Coast lacking premiership defenders Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass, Liam Duggan and Shannon Hurn, Adelaide ahead Tex Walker booted 10 objectives because the Crows romped to a 122-point victory in spherical 13.
Bazzo, in his fifteenth AFL sport, had first crack on Walker with none success, earlier than midfielder Elliot Yeo, ahead Oscar Allen and defender Alex Witherden all tried their luck at containing the Crows ace.
The Eagles’ defence was merely overwhelmed in that loss however the return of Barrass and Duggan for Saturday’s conflict with Sydney on the SCG is a big double enhance.
Hurn and McGovern may return the next week, which means rising defenders reminiscent of 19-year-old Bazzo can return to taking part in bit-part roles as a substitute of being thrown to the wolves.
“These guys who perhaps are a little bit underdone playing AFL at a young age … without breaking them, they’re learning a lot,” Simpson mentioned.
“(Bazzo) probably got 20 games’ experience in one against Adelaide.
“Not that it is one thing you need to do each week however he’ll be higher for the expertise.
“With Barrass coming back – vice-captain, should have been (All-) Australian last year – that’ll help support some of the younger players coming through.”
Sydney (5-8) have been bolstered by the return of Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills and Logan McDonald for a sport they should win to remain within the finals hunt.
Veteran ahead Lance Franklin stays sidelined with a knee niggle, which means West Coast have one much less factor to fret about.
“Bud’s done some damage on us in the past,” Simpson mentioned, reflecting on the Eagles’ inaugural AFL match at Optus Stadium.
“I keep thinking of that first game … he kicked eight. He’s an A-grade player.”
West Coast are slumped on the backside of the desk with a 1-12 file and a proportion of 51.4.
The bye week gave Simpson’s gamers an opportunity to refresh mentally and bodily following the disastrous first half of the season.
With a lot of senior gamers coming back from damage, the coach is hopeful his crew will likely be much more aggressive of their remaining 10 video games.
Sydney won’t take West Coast flippantly because the Swans goal to bounce again from shut losses to St Kilda and Brisbane.
“We saw what West Coast did a couple weeks ago (against) Collingwood,” Swans coach John Longmire mentioned.
“They were within 14 points just before three-quarter time and had virtually the same amount of (inside) 50s.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
