Midfield coach Nathan van Berlo is eager to see some fresh and familiar faces combine in West Coast’s engine room when the Eagles step out for their opening Marsh Community Series clash against Essendon.
Smooth-moving recruit Tim Kelly will be an obvious attraction at Mineral Resources Park on Thursday when he makes his much-anticipated debut in blue and gold.
While John Worsfold medallists Elliot Yeo (All Stars) and Andrew Gaff (Victoria) will be missing from the midfield mix due to the All Stars game in Melbourne, Kelly is set to link up with star ruckman Nic Naitanui, new skipper Luke Shuey, Jack Redden and Dom Sheed for the first time.
“It’s something from a midfield point-of-view we’ve tried to focus on throughout pre-season is getting some continuity and chemistry within the group,” van Berlo said.
“With Tim coming into the mix now it’s important he gets some connection with the rest of the midfielders and also the forward line too if he spends time there.
“He’s managed to have a lot of minutes with fellow mids, so hopefully that holds us in good stead come game time now.
“It is very exciting for us as a club. We certainly do think that Tim will add value to our playing group.
“But it is important to understand where the balance lies within our midfield and within the rest of our team.”
With Yeo and Gaff joining gun defender Brad Sheppard to help raise funds for bushfire relief in the match at Marvel Stadium on Friday night there will be spots open in the engine room.
It could present the likes of hard-running 195cm tall Jarrod Brander with a chance to show his stuff.
Brander impressed on a wing and in attack during last Friday’s intraclub and the 21-year-old could get an opportunity against the Bombers.
“We’ve seen some great development from Jarrod throughout pre-season and he’s deserved an opportunity in the next couple of weeks,” van Berlo said.
“Whether that be on a wing or forward, he’s got some versatility to his game.
“He did spend some time on a wing in our intraclub and showed some pleasing signs.
“We’ll have to wait and see what that looks like for him moving forward, but we’ve been pleased with how he’s progressed over summer.”
The Eagles will be missing several talls against the Dons, with Jeremy McGovern (heel), Jack Darling (cheekbone) and Oscar Allen (ankle) building their training workloads ahead of the home and away campaign.
