Eagles resist 200cm defender as tall Cats loom large

West Coast have dropped utility Connor West whereas giving Xavier O’Neill and Jack Petruccelle one other likelihood as they put together to tackle Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

West joins draftee Elijah Hewett in being axed from the facet that misplaced by 63 to Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Former captain Shannon Hurn was rested, whereas Tom Cole is about for a giant stint on the sidelines with one other ankle damage.

West, 23, had 11 disposals and kicked a objective towards the Demons, whereas Hewett is again within the WAFL to search out contact after simply eight touches in his third AFL sport.

Coach Adam Simpson stated Hewett wanted to get some kind.

“Play a bit more in the midfield, express him a little bit there and when he comes back in, he comes back in with a bit of game sense and game confidence. It’s all part of the plan,” he stated.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has resisted the urge to call 200cm defender Harry Edwards regardless of being with out vice-captain Jeremy McGovern to assist curtail the affect of Cats ahead duo Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron.

Edwards, West, Zane Trew and Luke Foley have all been named as emergencies.

Harry Edwards. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West Australian

O’Neill and Petruccelle return for the primary time since spherical one after they had underwhelming performances.

Petruccelle had only one contact after approaching because the tactical sub, whereas O’Neill had simply eight touches within the loss to North Melbourne.

The two had been among the many greatest for the Eagles’ WAFL facet of their loss to South Fremantle in spherical one of many WAFL.

“They’re fit, they’re ready to go so the opportunity is right there,” coach Simpson stated.

“We’ve always known that demographic of our list has been we’ve got some older guys and we’ve got some really young guys and the guys in the middle, we really need them. So now’s the time.”