Dynamic skipper Luke Shuey and champion defender Shannon Hurn are aiming to lead a cohort of Eagles ready to resume playing this weekend.
But in mixed news for West Coast, brilliant forward Liam Ryan’s season is over after he consulted with a specialist on his troublesome hamstring which requires further surgery.
Shuey and Hurn missed the trip to the Gabba to face Brisbane due to soreness but are expected to take on Richmond at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
“Both Luke and Shannon, after pulling up sore from the St Kilda game, just need to get through training this week to be available for the game this weekend against Richmond,” Head of Health Mark Finucane told westcoasteagles.com.au.
In another boost, Greg Clark (foot), Callum Jamieson (hip), Luke Foley (hamstring), Samo Petrevski-Seton (quad), Zane Trew (concussion protocols) and Isiah Winder (knee) are also aiming to put their hands up for match minutes.
“They had a really good group session together with the development coaches on Friday and that has set them up nicely to return to play this week,” Finucane said.
Ryan has not played since he suffered a serious hamstring setback after an awkward tumble from a marking attempt in the round three RAC Derby, and he will miss the remainder of the campaign.
“Liam has had a number of specialist opinions and the medical advice is he will need further surgery on his hamstring, and that will happen at some stage next week,” Finucane said.
Two-time John Worsfold medallist Elliot Yeo (hip) is nearing another comeback after a luckless run with injuries, and could be available to take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium in round 19.
“Elliot has a really important week to guide the direction of his rehab progression. Hopefully he can get a bigger session later in the week and then we’ll see how he is for the next week or two after that,” Finucane said.
Josh Rotham (thumb), Connor West (knee), Jamaine Jones (ankle), Harry Edwards (groin) and Coby Burgiel (hamstring) remain a little further back in their progressions.
Rotham will soon have a fixation removed from his thumb before ramping up his ball-work, while West will see his surgeon next week and Jones is building his running loads.
“(West) has one more week in the brace with the expectation he will be out of his brace and able to get stuck into his rehab and reconditioning from there,” Finucane said.
“Jamaine has been running for a week or two now, and he’s in that phase of building his running loads after time off from surgery and period in the boot following that.
“Harry continues to progress but making small but progressive gains in his running build.
“Coby is into his second week of running after his hamstring surgery and is building through that nicely. He’s also in that phase of just getting miles back in the legs.”
Injury list:
Coby Burgiel Hamstring 5-6 weeks
Greg Clark Foot Test
Jai Culley Knee Season
Harry Edwards Groin 5-6 weeks
Luke Foley Hamstring Test
Shannon Hurn Soreness Test
Callum Jamieson Hip Test
Jamaine Jones Ankle 5-6 weeks
Nic Naitanui Achilles Season
Samo Petrevski-Seton Quad Test
Josh Rotham Thumb 2-3 weeks
Liam Ryan Hamstring Season
Luke Shuey Soreness Test
Zane Trew Concussion protocols Test
Jake Waterman Illness Indefinite
Connor West Knee TBC
Isiah Winder Knee Test
Elliot Yeo Hip 1-2 weeks
