BEST 22

B: Shannon Hurn, Mitch Brown, Will Schofield
HB: Brad Sheppard, Jeremy McGovern, Xavier Ellis
C: Andrew Gaff, Matt Priddis, Sharrod Wellingham
HF: Chris Masten, Jack Darling, Mark LeCras
F: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Scott Lycett
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Scott Selwood
I/C: Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed, Matt Rosa
Sub: Patrick McGinnity

HEALTH OF THE LIST

Eric Mackenzie's suffered a season-ending knee injury in the NAB Challenge. Jack Darling has been rehabilitating a foot stress fracture all pre-season and is aiming to return by round six. Mark Hutchings has a groin problem and his return date is unknown. Damien Cavka is set to miss the first two months of the year with a foot stress fracture. 

SUMMER STANDOUT: SCOTT LYCETT

After signing a four-year deal to stay at the Eagles, Lycett had a very impressive summer. He clocked up more minutes on the track than most during the pre-season and will get the opportunity to consolidate his spot as the Eagles' second ruckman behind Nic Naitanui and he may have to shoulder the load if Naitanui encounters any injury issues.

FANTASY CASH COW: DOM SHEED

He only played 10 games last year, five of which were as the substitute, but he looks set to be in the starting midfield rotation given his form over the pre-season. He averaged 41 points last season but averaged 66 points in the three NAB Challenge games. He's not a bankable Fantasy player but his value should increase from $237,000 early on.

SUDDEN IMPACT: TOM LAMB

The young Victorian looks likely to get an immediate opportunity due to the injury concerns surrounding Jack Darling. Lamb, a second-round draft pick last year, has played all the pre-season games and appears set to make his debut in round one. He is an energetic half-forward who could bob up at important times. 

IT'S CRUNCH TIME FOR... SHARROD WELLINGHAM

The 26-year-old needs to have a big year in the final year of his contract. He has been disappointing in his first two seasons at West Coast but he has had a brilliant pre-season and both Adam Simpson and Shannon Hurn are backing him to have a good year.

PIVOTAL MATCH: ROUND 3 v FREMANTLE

The derbies are always important but this one will be the litmus test for West Coast. The Eagles won their first three matches last season but were belted by Geelong in round four and went on to lose four games in a row. If they can beat Fremantle they can set up their season and announce themselves as legitimate finals contenders.

THE EAGLES WILL HAVE A GOOD YEAR IF...

… they kick straight in key games. The Eagles were the second-best converting team in the AFL last season but those figures were skewed by some outstanding goalkicking in big wins. They kicked really poorly in tight games and it cost them dearly. Given the injury crisis in the back half they will have to make the most of their opportunities in the front half to stay in games. They also need the midfield to stand up and be counted.

PREMIERSHIP CLOCK

They are a much younger list than most realise and the mantra from the club is "they are building" towards something in the next couple of years.

THE BIG QUESTIONS

Can the Eagles cover the loss of Eric Mackenzie? The reigning best and fairest is a huge loss. Mitch Brown now becomes the No.1 key defender and Will Schofield will be given extra responsibility. But the Eagles can ill afford another defender to go down. Jeremy McGovern will be forced to play almost permanently in defence, which is not ideal given the injury to Jack Darling. The Eagles could be stretched at times and it is critical the midfield limits the opposition's supply.   

Can the midfield stand up to support Matt Priddis? The Brownlow medallist is a one-man contested ball and clearance machine and the Eagles more than hold their own in that area, but they need outside users to really have an impact and help kick a winning score. Midfield to forward connection has been a big issue for Adam Simpson and his midfielders haven't been able to use the ball well at times. They need the likes of Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Chris Masten and Sharrod Wellingham to stand tall.

Can the Eagles win against top-eight sides? The Eagles have shown they are capable of beating top-eight teams, but have fallen short at the final hurdle. They had opportunities to beat Fremantle, Port Adelaide and Essendon last year but failed to capitalise on their chances. They need to execute well in the big moments and not concede a glut of goals when they lose momentum within games.