West Coast’s backline is set to be reinforced by star trio Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass and Liam Duggan returning for Saturday’s clash against Sydney at the SCG.
After a long stint on the sidelines following hamstring surgery, four-time All-Australian McGovern should be ready to link up again with reigning Club Champion Tom Barrass in the key defensive posts.
Barrass has been absent for the past two matches due to a hip complaint, while in-form leader Duggan is another crucial inclusion after a leg infection (and suspension) kept him out of the loss to Adelaide before the bye.
“Tom had a really good session late last week with game-like loads so he’s ready to go for this week,” Head of Health Mark Finucane told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“Jeremy, along with TB, had a good session on Friday and got into all of training and he should be available this week.
“Liam, after missing with illness, has fully recovered, had a good training week at the end of last week and is available for this week.”
Games record holder Shannon Hurn (hamstring) is one more week away, however first-year midfielder Elijah Hewett is available again after exiting the concussion protocols.
“Elijah has worked his way through the protocols and had a good hit-out with the boys last Friday, and is available to play this weekend,” Finucane said.
“Shannon has done a good block of training after his hamstring strain. He’s still got another final step later this week. Hopefully we’ll see him out there against St Kilda.”
Further reinforcements are not far away, with important duo Jamie Cripps and Tom Cole expected to resume in coming weeks following ankle injuries, along with developing ruck Callum Jamieson (hip), and NGA product Jordyn Baker (hamstring) who should be available next week.
The Eagles sustained several setbacks before the bye with Jake Waterman (illness) sidelined indefinitely, while Luke Foley (hamstring) was injured against Adelaide and Greg Clark pulled up with a foot issue.
Josh Rotham broke his thumb at training leading into the Crows match and will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery.
“Josh copped a football on the end of his thumb, which unfortunately resulted in a fracture, which he has since had stabilised surgically,” Finucane said. “He will miss approximately six more weeks.
“Greg reported some foot soreness after the game against Adelaide. We’re just working through the diagnosis.
“It has calmed down nicely, so we will build him up, but he will miss at least a couple of weeks with that.”
Unfortunately, thrilling forward Liam Ryan is progressing slowly from hamstring tendon surgery following an unusual injury in the RAC Derby and a return date is unclear at this stage.
“Liam in his rehabilitation, we’d like to see him progress through his markers and at the moment he’s not ready to move onto the next functional test until he builds up his strength,” Finucane said.
“That’s not uncommon for the proximal hamstring tendon surgeries, which is a different location than others that we’ve had, such as Jeremy has had.
“We need to see that strength improve and the sensitivity settle down before Liam can progress through his functional progressions like his running, building his speed and functional things like kicking.”
Meanwhile, star ruck Nic Naitanui has undergone successful season-ending surgery on his Achilles issue, with Coby Burgiel (hamstring) and Connor West (knee) also undergoing recent operations and about to begin rehab.
“Nic has had his surgery on his Achilles and he’s got a period of time where he’s got to be really quiet and immobilised. It’s the start of a long rehabilitation process for Nic,” Finucane said.
Injury list:
Jordyn Baker Hamstring 1 week
Coby Burgiel Hamstring 7-8 weeks
Greg Clark Foot 3-5 weeks
Tom Cole Ankle 3-4 weeks
Jamie Cripps Ankle 2-3 weeks
Jai Culley Knee Season
Harry Edwards Groin TBC
Luke Foley Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Shannon Hurn Hamstring 1 week
Callum Jamieson Hip 2-3 weeks
Jamaine Jones Ankle 6-8 weeks
Nic Naitanui Achilles Season
Josh Rotham Thumb 6 weeks
Liam Ryan Hamstring TBC
Jake Waterman Illness TBC
Connor West Knee TBC
Isiah Winder Knee 3-4 weeks
