Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan will miss the clash against West Coast on Friday night, the Eagles also set to be boosted by the absence of Lachie Whitfield.
It comes as West Coast confirm their only change will be draftee Malakai Champion coming in to replace winger Jayden Hunt in a likely sub role.
Hogan was the chief destroyer in round four when the Giants demolished the Eagles by 81 points at ENGIE Stadium, kicking an equal career-high nine goals against Sandy Brock on the youngster’s debut.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said earlier in the week West Coast had been weighing up which of Brock, Harry Edwards or Reuben Ginbey would take the towering West Australian goalkicker, but they will now be freed up to have at least one play an intercept role.
The absence of the Giants’ pair, as well as the Eagles missing Jake Waterman due to injury and Jeremy McGovern due to retirement, means all of the two clubs’ All-Australian players will be missing.
Champion will become the eighth Eagle to earn his wings in season 2025 after Archer Reid, Brock, Hamish Davis, Tom Gross, Bo Allan, Tom McCarthy and Jobe Shanahan.
He is also the fifth of the 2024 draft crop to debut and the third Naitanui Academy graduate to represent the blue and gold after being drafted to West Coast.
The young forward has kicked seven goals in 11 WAFL outings this season and fittingly plays his first match just days after fellow Kalgoorlie product and premiership hero Dom Sheed hung up his boots.
The Eagles will also celebrate NAIDOC week in round 17, wearing the club’s First Nations jumper that featured during Sir Doug Nicholls round and the club’s only victory this season against St Kilda.
TEAMS
West Coast v Greater Western Sydney
Friday, 6.20pm, Optus Stadium
Eagles
FB: R Ginbey H Edwards T McCarthy
HB: L Baker S Brock L Duggan
C: J Cripps H Reid J Hutchinson
HF: J Graham J Shanahan E Hewett
FF: L Ryan J Williams T Brockman
FOLL: M Flynn B Hough T Kelly
INT: R Maric B Allan C Hall B Williams M Champion
EMG: J Hunt A Reid R Bazzo
Giants
FB: C Idun L Aleer J Fonti
HB: H Himmelberg J Buckley L Ash
C: R Angwin T Bedford J Kelly
HF: X O’Halloran A Cadman D Jones
FF: H Thomas M Gruzewski T Greene
FOLL: K Briggs F Callaghan T Green
INT: J Leake C Brown H Rowston J Riccardi J Stringer
EMG: J Delana J Wehr T McMullin
https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-coast-eagles/west-coast-eagles-boosted-as-coleman-medallist-jesse-hogan-confirmed-out-of-friday-night-clash-c-19238664
