Two of the West Coast Eagles’ best small forwards – all-Australian Liam Ryan and speedster Jack Petruccelle – have been ruled out of tomorrow night’s blockbuster against Collingwood at Optus Stadium.

Ryan has a shin complaint while Petruccelle, who kicked four goals in one the best games of his brief career last week against St Kilda, could not be considered because of a hamstring injury.  

“Jack complained of hamstring soreness during training and scans have shown a low-grade strain which is likely to sideline him for two to three weeks,” Craig Vozzo, General Manager – Football said today.

“Similarly, Liam complained of shin soreness at training and scans have revealed a bone stress injury in the shin area. We will further explore this injury in the coming days with our medical and strength and conditioning staff to determine his likely return date.”       

Another pressure forward, Jamaine Jones, has been dropped, while club games record holder Shannon Hurn has been ruled out with a calf injury. Isiah Winder, who made his debut last week, has also been left out.

While it means four changes, three of which were not anticipated, it has opened the door for two players traded to the club last year to play together for the first time.

Former Brisbane defender Alex Witherden was a natural replacement for Hurn while Zac Langdon, lured from GWS in the off-season, will return to play his fourth game for the club before what looms as a big crowd at the Eagles’ home venue.

Also coming into the team are ruckman-forward Nathan Vardy and young midfielder Xavier O’Neill.

The Eagles could create a record tomorrow night with the biggest post-COVID crowd assembled anywhere in the world. Fans will be encouraged to arrive early for the 6.10pm bounce-down because some delays could be expected with protocols being observed on entry.

Vardy and O’Neill were both on-lookers as the Eagles faded in the last 40 minutes of the Saints match last week to go down by 20 points. They had pressed their selection claims the previous week with the WAFL Eagles and will both be fresh for this important clash with the Magpies.

The club’s medical sub will come from either Winder, half-back Luke Foley, Jones or Brayden Ainsworth who was a stand-out in the WAFL Eagles defeat by West Perth last Saturday at Yanchep. They have been listed as the emergencies.