The West Coast Eagles are set to be bolstered by the return of captain Shannon Hurn, dual best and fairest Elliot Yeo and exciting youngster Oscar Allen for Thursday’s blockbuster clash with Essendon at Optus stadium.
Meanwhile, premiership defender Tom Barrass is on track to make his return to football on Saturday for the West Coast Eagles WAFL side alongside superstar ruckman Nic Naitanui and WAFL captain Fraser McInnes.
Hurn (hamstring), Yeo (calf) and Allen (ankle) simply need to get through training for the remainder of the week to be considered for selection at AFL level, while Barrass will be managed back into game time at WAFL level should he get through the week unscathed.
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West Coast general manager of football Craig Vozzo says there should be a number of players returning to the Eagles’ line up.
“Shannon nearly got up for the Sydney game, that weekend he completed all the relevant testing that the S&C (strength & conditioning) guys wanted and has pulled up really well from all of that,” Vozzo said.
“We’re hoping he gets through the last of our training before the game and (if so) he’ll be available.
“Elliot has had the calf injury, he’s got a little bit more testing to do prior to the game, all being well he’ll get through that and be available to play.
“Oscar’s looking really good, he’s had the ankle problem for a week or two leading into that Sydney game.
“We took a conservative approach, given his age, he’s had a good break and provided he gets through training he’ll be available for selection.”
Barrass, who suffered a foot injury ahead of round five, has completed his long rehabilitation program and is ready to go.
“It’s been a long period off for big Tom, he’s had that mid-foot injury for quite a while now,” Vozzo said.
“But he’s completed a long period of rehabilitation and provided he ticks off training he’ll be available to play on the weekend.”
After the club confirmed Nic Naitanui would make his return to football last night, Vozzo said the athletic big man would play around an hour of football on Saturday for the WAFL Eagles.
“Nic’s had a really uninterrupted and solid period (leading up) to the weekend,” said Vozzo.
“We’re really happy with where he’s got to, we’re expecting him to play around 60 or 70 minutes for the WALF Eagles, that’ll be closely monitored.
“Looking forward to seeing the big fella back in action.”
WAFL Eagles captain Fraser McInnes will also make a return to football on Saturday after a run of shoulder and hamstring injuries.
