Jeremy McGovern is about to headline a bunch of large ins for West Coast this week because the Eagles try and salvage a semblance of satisfaction from their disastrous AFL season.
McGovern has been sidelined since tearing his hamstring within the round-three western derby loss to Fremantle.
The four-time All-Australian is again in full coaching and barring any late setbacks is on observe to return in Saturday’s conflict with Sydney on the SCG.
Fellow defenders Tom Barrass (hip), Liam Duggan (toe) and Shannon Hurn (hamstring) may additionally be part of McGovern within the aspect in what can be an enormous increase on the again of the embarrassing 122-point loss to Adelaide earlier than the bye.
That defeat – the most important in coach Adam Simpson’s 10-year reign – was West Coast’s eleventh straight loss.
It left the Eagles on the underside of the ladder with a 1-12 document and a woeful proportion of 51.4.
But with McGovern, Barrass, Hurn and Duggan all set to return both this week or subsequent – and with Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey and Jack Darling having made latest comebacks – West Coast will lastly be capable to discipline a aggressive aspect.
Young midfielder Elijah Hewett (concussion) is one other participant who is on the market for choice this week, whereas Jamie Cripps (ankle) and Tom Cole (ankle) are set to return within the subsequent two to a few weeks.
“If there was a game last week, I reckon he (McGovern) would have played a bit of WAFL,” Simpson instructed the membership’s web site.
“The guys returning are quality players who we have missed – McGovern, Barrass, Duggan, Hurn, Cripps, Cole.
“We’re hoping to get them again within the subsequent couple of weeks.
“The standard has lifted at training, that’s for sure. They’re quality players and really hard to replace.”
With a bunch of West Coast stars on the verge of returning, there’s renewed hope the Eagles can keep away from the picket spoon.
North Melbourne at present sit a win and 18.2 per cent forward of West Coast, with the 2 struggling sides set to conflict in Perth in spherical 20.
Eagles ahead Jake Waterman, who spent eight days in hospital with a abdomen an infection, is prone to miss a minimum of one or two extra weeks, whereas Liam Ryan (hamstring) faces a struggle to play once more this 12 months.
Ruckman Nic Naitanui has already been dominated out for the season after present process surgical procedure on his troublesome Achilles.
Simpson confirmed mid-season draftee Ryan Maric, who booted two objectives in opposition to Adelaide, would preserve his spot within the aspect in opposition to the Swans.
Defender Luke Foley is about to overlook the conflict with Sydney after injuring his hamstring in opposition to Adelaide.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
