West Coast Eagles’ options for replacing up to six injured players after brutal Western Derby loss

We take a look at Simpson’s options as he tries to cover the loss of at least four – and potentially as many as six – players for his team’s round four clash with in-form Melbourne.

Problem: Jeremy McGovern (hamstring) is out for at least six weeks, potentially more.

Solution: Harry Edwards was an emergency for Sunday’s derby, played well in the WAFL and is now mature enough to hold a key defensive post. Edwards is 22, 200 centimetres tall and has played 28 games since his 2020 debut.

Rhett Bazzo, 19, would also be in contention but may be considered underdone after time away from the club to mourn the tragic death of his mother Kylie earlier in the year. Josh Rotham, 25, is back in action after a fractured forearm in the pre-season clash against Adelaide and, at 193 centimetres, would give the Eagles another tall defender and a potential back-up ruck option.

Problem: Jamie Cripps (broken ankle) is out indefinitely. He is the Eagles best gut runner, their most experienced small forward and almost impossible to replace given his work from defence back into attack.

Solution: Noah Long has played all three games and there should be no temptation to drop him now. Long has looked capable in all three matches. The Eagles may take another look at Jack Petruccelle (23), who was a sub against North Melbourne in round one, but was dropped after coming onto the field to add run and only having one touch.

Problem: Luke Shuey’s hamstring injury didn’t look as bad as McGovern’s but, given his history, a minimum three-to-four week stint on the sidelines is likely.

Solution: Elliot Yeo was close to playing in the derby after a calf issue. The Eagles will be hoping he is ready to resume so they can replace experience and class with experience and class.

If Yeo is not ready, Xavier O’Neill (22) played in round one in the midfield before being dropped. Jai Culley (20) was highly rated during pre-season but unavailable for round one because of a calf niggle and has been working his way back. Greg Clark (25) is a big bodied mid who has been one of West Coast’s best players in WAFL practice matches in the past two weeks. Connor West (24) has played 19 games, including 14 last year. The Eagles like his grit in the contest and his speed away from stoppages.

Problem: Alex Witherden (concussion) is likely to miss one week under the 12-day protocol.

Solution: Rotham (mentioned above) appeals as a hybrid defender who is also a good kick and might be able to slot into Witherden’s role. Alternatively, Brady Hough (20) impressed many at West Coast last year, was an emergency for the derby and can play both wing and defensive roles.

Problem: Liam Ryan (knee) walked laps at Mineral Resources Park after scans. He was limping but the club hopes it is not serious.

Solution: Elijah Hewett, 18, has played in the last two matches as a sub and this may give the Eagles the opportunity to inject him into the 22 as a full time forward rather than a forward who goes into the midfield. He is a genuine talent, is explosive and has good goal sense.

Problem: Campbell Chesser (knee). The club is concerned about his left knee which he injured early in the derby. He was in a brace post match and sent for scans. They are hopeful it is not a long-term injury.

Solution: A significant injury would be a major blow for the talented Chesser, who has been hurt and/or Covid interrupted for three years. He has played every game but was still finding his way, so this would be more about the football he might miss than finding a replacement. Hough, Clark, Culley or O’Neill would all be contenders for a role on the wing.