West Coast's lucky charm returns
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The West Coast Eagles will welcome back a large slice of experience - and class - when it tackles reigning premiers Geelong at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
Champion on-baller Daniel Kerr and other long-serving stalwarts Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun have all been cleared fit to play, while centre half-forward Ashley Hansen has also been given the medical green light.
Also included is emerging forward Ben McKinley, who has regained his place on the back of a three-goal haul for East Perth last Saturday when he was a key figure in a rare Royals victory against Perth.
Those important inclusions mean that some talented youngsters have missed out, including the club’s top draft selection last year, Chris Masten, who has a hip injury, while impressive rookie Ryan Davis and hard-working on-baller Jamie McNamara have been dropped back to the WAFL.
Tall utility player Brent Staker has also been dropped after playing his 100th game against the Bombers while ruckman Mark Seaby will return to West Perth in search of confidence and form.
Kerr, who was a late withdrawal against the Bombers because of a calf injury, trained impressively through the week and is ready to resume. Braun (knee) and Fletcher (back) also return after a one-week absence, meaning three key running players return against the best running unit in the league.
Hansen has not played since round four against Sydney, but has shown enough in recent WAFL games to suggest he is ready to resume in elite football. His return received a setback a fortnight ago when he played in the Peel reserves in search of match fitness and received a badly corked buttock.
The return of Hansen is important given the team’s high winning ratio when he is playing. He offers mobility and class to the forward structure.
McKinley had contemplated shoulder surgery a fortnight ago, considered he could play through the rest of the season and that decision has been rewarded by regaining his place in the senior side.
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