Mark LeCras joins a host of stars returning to the side for this Saturday's match against Melbourne
Today's headlines
Today's videos
A host of stars have returned to the line-up for West Coast’s final pre-season hit-out this Saturday.
Mark LeCras, Daniel Kerr, Matt Priddis, Josh Kennedy and Dean Cox were all absent from the club’s emphatic 39-point victory over Carlton last weekend, but have been named in the 27-man squad to take on Melbourne at Casey Fields.
Viewed as a dress rehearsal for round one, the match committee has aimed to field a stronger team this weekend, closely resembling the line-up expected to take on the Lions at the Gabba, and has managed each player’s pre-season load accordingly.
Kerr, Priddis and Cox have each played one NAB series game, while LeCras and Kennedy have racked up two apiece.
Saturday’s match presents an important opportunity for developing rookie Will Sullivan to learn from the league’s premier ruckman first-hand. The enthusiastic understudy played alongside teenage sensation Nic Naitanui in last Saturday's Blues win and will be looking to increase his experience playing in tandem with Cox as he vies for a senior spot.
New recruit Koby Stevens will again take to the field after his first match for the blue and gold last weekend when he scored a goal with his first kick.
In the absence of Quinten Lynch, who has recently welcomed daughter Addison to the world, premiership centre half-forward Ashley Hansen also comes into the side, together with young midfielder Brad Ebert who was rested last weekend.
Skipper Darren Glass will sit out with Lynch, as will new Eagle Bradd Dalziell. All three have racked up considerable game time during the pre-season series and are due for a spell ahead of the season opener in a fortnight.
WebMail
My BigPond