West Coast Eagles recall Noah Long and Bailey Williams for Western Bulldogs clash
The Eagles have made three changes, handing a debut to mid-season draftee Jacob Newton while also recalling Long and forward-ruck Bailey Williams for Sunday's game at Marvel Stadium.
Captain Liam Duggan (suspension) has been joined by injured pair Archer Reid (toe) and Tom Gross (calf) in coming out of the side that lost to ladder-leaders Adelaide by only nine points at Optus Stadium at the weekend.
Hunt was the travelling emergency for the clash against the Bulldogs, having not played since he was the sub in the round 16 loss to Collingwood.
The 30-year-old has played five games in the WAFL and averaged 18 disposals across half-back but has been overlooked despite the Eagles needing another defender in the absence of Duggan and with mid-season recruit Tom McCarthy moving to the midfield.
It could be a big blow to Hunt's chances for a new contract given he is yet to re-sign beyond this season, having joined the Eagles as a free agent from Melbourne after the 2022 season.
Long has played only eight games this season and none since the round 18 defeat to Port Adelaide when he had four possessions as the sub.
The 20-year-old has struggled for form in his third season at the Eagles, having only played seven games last season because of a knee injury.
Long has forced his way back into the team on the back of three goals from 18 disposals and seven tackles in the Eagles reserves' loss to East Fremantle last Saturday.
Williams comes in to help Matt Flynn take on All-Australian contender Tim English, replacing impressive second year tall Reid.
The 25-year-old played the last of his 14 games for the season in the Eagles' 83-point defeat to Melbourne less than a fortnight ago when he went against Demons superstar Max Gawn solo.
Emergencies Malakai Champion and Jack Williams have been left in Perth.
Luke Beveridge has made only two changes to the Bulldogs' team, naming debutant Jordan Croft as well as mature age recruit Sam Davidson, with Laith Vandermeer (concussion) and Caleb Poulter (omitted) out of the team.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v WEST COAST
Sunday, Optus Stadium, 2.40pm
BULLDOGS
B: L Bramble J O'Donnell B Dale
HB: L Cleary R Lobb J Johannisen
C: J Freijah E Richards B Williams
HF: S Davidson A Naughton M Kennedy
F: R Garcia S Darcy R West
FOLL: T English M Bontempelli T Liberatore
I/C: O Baker J Busslinger J Croft L McNeil R Sanders
EMG: C Hynes A Jones L Smith
IN: S Davidson J Croft
OUT: L Vandermeer (injured) C Poulter (omitted)
EAGLES
B: R Ginbey S Brock T McCarthy
HB: L Baker R Bazzo T Cole
C: C Hall E Hewett R Maric
HF: J Graham L Ryan J Cripps
F: M Owies J Shanahan N Long
FOLL: M Flynn B Hough T Kelly
I/C: T Brockman C Chesser B Williams H Davis J Newton
EMG: J Hunt J Williams M Champion
IN: N Long B Williams J Newton
OUT: L Duggan (suspended) A Reid (toe) T Gross (calf)
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The Advertiser
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But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015. "It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. 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"It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. "This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses. "We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track." 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Cricket Australia pays tribute to Bob Simpson
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