West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says the Eagles will ‘totally embrace’ players’ enthusiasm for their one and only chance to play on the MCG this season, with several youngsters in line for their first games at football’s mecca.
The Eagles head east to take on Richmond on Mother’s Day this Sunday, aiming to take it up to the Tigers on their home deck.
The likes of Elijah Hewett, Ryan Maric and Archer Reid are yet to play an AFL match at the venue, with a host of other players in the selection mix also hoping for their first opportunity.
Others such as Jack Hutchinson, Harley Reid and Jack Williams (one), plus Reuben Ginbey (two) and Brady Hough (three), also have limited experience at the Grand Final venue.
“We totally embrace it. We get one opportunity to play there this year,” McQualter said on Thursday.
“We’ll touch on a lot of our guys haven’t played there, which is going to be a great opportunity for them.
“We’ll plan for it as normal in terms of our preparation for Richmond but look forward to the opportunity to play at the ‘G.”
McQualter said the Eagles were ‘optimistic’ Archer Reid would recover in time to take his place after going down with a rolled ankle in last Saturday’s loss to Melbourne.
Sandy Brock, Harry Edwards and Rhett Bazzo are competing to replace champion defender Jeremy McGovern (concussion protocols), while Bo Allan will also miss out due to suspension.
Bazzo has strung together five WAFL matches in a positive sign following a tough run with injuries.
“He’s starting to really build his game ... it’s really terrific to see. He’s had so many challenges with his body over the last few years,” McQualter said.
“We’re seeing the Rhett Bazzo we were hopeful we’d see.”
Tom Gross, Clay Hall and Tyrell Dewar were strong performers in the WAFL Eagles’ breakthrough win over South Fremantle last round.
Gross spent time up forward against the Bulldogs, with Dewar used off half-back, while young tall Jobe Shanahan has also excited the senior coach.
“I think Jobe can play both ends of the ground at a really high level,” McQualter said.
“He’s going to be a really, really good player, Jobe. We’ve just got to make sure we set him up for success for the long-term.”
Richmond has won two matches this season and shown plenty of fight, and McQualter – who was a long-term assistant for the Tigers – is under no illusions about their capabilities.
“I still think they’re being led incredibly well … and then they’ve got so many young players underneath that,” he said.
“When they’re winning they’ve got high pressure in their game.
"We’re going to have to ensure we look after the ball and don’t cough it up too often, because they can be really dangerous if they build their pressure game.”
