West Coast are set to be with out star ruckman Nic Naitanui till a minimum of spherical 5 as his Achilles harm continues to derail the beginning of his season.
Coach Adam Simpson has frequently mentioned Naitanui, 32, was a week-to-week proposition to return, however has now conceded the three-time All-Australian is a minimum of a couple of weeks away.
Simpson mentioned Naitanui was not more likely to function till the Eagles tackle Geelong in Collect Spherical in a fortnight.
“He’s going to be a few weeks earlier than we get that rebuild going,” Simpson informed 7NEWS.
It means the Eagles will go up in opposition to the Dockers pairing of Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy with out the two-time John Worsfold medallist, however they may regain Callum Jamieson.
Jamieson rolled his ankle within the WAFL on Saturday, however Simpson mentioned he hoped the 22-year-old can be accessible for choice.
“We tried the one ruck this week with Jake (Waterman) within the second ruck function and it labored fairly effectively in opposition to the Giants who had the identical setup,” Simpson mentioned.
“I’m unsure the way it’s going to look in opposition to Fremantle with the 2 A-grade ruckman working in opposition to one younger ruckman coming by.
“Hopefully Jamo shall be accessible for choice if required.”
In the meantime, midfielder Elliot Yeo’s calf harm is ready to maintain him out of the Western Derby on Sunday, leaving the Eagles wanting expertise to tackle a determined, winless Fremantle.
“I don’t suppose he’ll be enjoying. He must make a exceptional restoration this week,” Simpson mentioned.
“If he doesn’t practice on Thursday, he received’t play and he’s extra unlikely than possible to do this.
“We’re hoping it’s subsequent week if it’s not this week. Yeoy is a bit nearer than Nic in the intervening time.”
Naitanui and Yeo each made appearances on the mild coaching session on Monday afternoon however didn’t even be part of the staff in a light-weight stroll across the oval, as an alternative spending time handballing with draftee Coby Burgiel, who has a hamstring harm.
Simpson mentioned he was happy with the function prime draftee Reuben Ginbey did on Better Western Sydney star Tom Inexperienced of their win on Sunday.
“I really thought he did a fairly good job,” Simpson mentioned.
“Tom nonetheless had his 27 possessions and a good few first possessions across the stoppages, nevertheless it’s good for him to be taught.
“I believed he held up fairly effectively, nonetheless had 17 possessions himself and 6 tackles, he’s a really predictable participant younger Reuben. We’re actually pleased with him.”
In the meantime, West Coast defender Luke Foley has been suspended for one week after being discovered responsible of putting East Perth’s Ethan Regan in a pre-season sport on Saturday.
The incident was graded as Intentional conduct, medium affect and physique contact, with Foley’s two-game ban being downgraded to only one with an early responsible plea.
