Media Watch

Eagles embrace fight for AFL finals berth
The West Australian, Justin Chadwick
July 31

West Coast coach Adam Simpson believes his team took a small step forward in their 68-point win over Brisbane, but he knows they still face a major battle to lock away an AFL finals berth.

The Eagles moved back into eighth spot with the 17.11 (113) to 6.9 (45) AFL win over the Lions at Domain Stadium on Sunday.

Despite the big win, West Coast's finals hopes remain on a knife's edge.

The Eagles need three wins from their final four games to guarantee a top-eight finish.

Season over for Lycett
westcoasteagles.com.au
August 1

West Coast has shut down ruckman Scott Lycett’s season 2017 following a setback in his shoulder rehabilitation program.

Eagles general manager of football Craig Vozzo said the club had no choice but to put the athletic big man’s comeback on ice after it became apparent he would need further surgery to overcome his injury.

“We’ve decided that we just can’t get him to the level where we can get a consistent lot of training and pain-free outcomes,” Vozzo said.

Sam Mitchell never forgot the people who helped him realise his dream
Herald Sun, Glenn McFarlane
August 2

AS MANY of his Hawthorn teammates were reaching for the endless supply of cold beverages in the moments immediately after the club’s 2008 premiership win, Sam Mitchell was searching the contact list on his phone.

He wanted to thank those who had afforded him the only thing he had asked for — a chance.

Mitchell had been overlooked in the 2000 national draft and dismissed as “too slow” for the 21st century athletic prototype.

If it hadn’t been for the hard work and hard sell from a number of people around Box Hill and Hawthorn during the 2001 season, he might not have been selected as pick 36 in what turned out to be the AFL’s Super Draft.

Medical Report

Priddis (quad) test
Shuey (ankle) test
Vardy (glute) test
Jetta (calf) 1 week
Butler (hamstring) 1 week
Rotham (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Lamb (knee) 1-2 weeks
Venables (toe) 3-4 weeks
Naitanui (knee) late 2017 season
Lycett (shoulder) season
Allen (foot) season

Fresh Faces

While he is far from a new face, Sam Mitchell is almost at the end of his first and last season at West Coast as a player. The four-time premiership Hawk has played 16 games in 2017, averaging 27.1 disposals per game. The Eagles have also used former North Melbourne 300-gamer Drew Petrie this season to fill a gaping hole in their ruck stocks. Adam Simpson handed young South Australian midfielder Luke Partington his first game last weekend and the 20-year-old thrived against Brisbane, collecting 16 disposals on debut.

Star

Dual Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy might have missed five games recently due to a serious calf injury, but he is only four goals behind leading goalkicker Joe Daniher with four games to go. West Coast’s five-time leading goalkicker has not only won the last two Coleman’s, he’s also been named All-Australian in both years and is a strong chance to earn selection again. Kennedy has booted 15 goals since returning three weeks ago, including back-to-back bags of six in the last fortnight.

Stats that matter

Adam Simpson’s side hasn't been able to take a trick in the ruck department this season. Nic Naitanui has missed the entire campaign with a knee injury, while Scott Lycett has managed just one game all year due to a range of setbacks. West Coast is ranked No. 15 for hitouts differential (-8.6) and No. 16 for hitouts to advantage differential (-2.6) and clearances differential (-2.7).

Team

B: J. McGovern, E. Mackenzie, S. Hurn
HB: B. Sheppard, W. Schofield, L. Duggan
C: A. Gaff, S. Mitchell, J. Nelson
HF: J. Redden, J. Darling, L. Partington
F: J. Cripps, J. Kennedy, M. LeCras
R: D. Petrie, E. Yeo, L. Shuey
Interchange from: D. Sheed, C. Masten, M. Priddis, N. Vardy, J. Hill, M. Hutchings, M. Karpany

IN: C. Masten, M. Priddis, N. Vardy, J. Hill
OUT: T. Barrass (groin)