West Coast forward Liam Ryan faces test as Eagles push for just second win of the season
Ryan was listed as a test when the AFL official injury lists were released last night.
He missed his third match of the season when forced out of the Eagles' defeat to Port Adelaide with soreness after travelling with the team.
Ryan also sat out the club's first game of the season as he recovered from a pre-season hamstring issue and was ill for the round four defeat to the Giants.
The 2018 premiership Eagle, who has spent more time in the midfield this season, completed gentle running and skills work at training yesterday at Mineral Resources Park.
'Liam got through main training last week, but presented with soreness on Friday,' high-performance manager Mat Inness said.
'We didn't want to take any risks for last weekend's game, but he trained today and we'll assess him again at our main session on Thursday.'
Young key forward Archer Reid will be available after being managed from the WAFL Eagles clash against West Perth with hamstring tightness.
'Archer had some hamstring tightness following the main session last week,' Inness said.
'Being such a young player and having completed so much work, we decided to give him a week off. He fully trained today and will be available for selection this weekend.'
The club is awaiting advice on Elliot Yeo while continuing his rehab program from an ankle injury. He is listed as a TBC but remains unlikely to play again this season.
Tim Kelly is a chance to return to the midfield this week and add some experience to a young on-ball group after amassing 27 disposals and kicking two goals in the WAFL.
Kelly has been played largely as a half-forward for more than a month, but might be required back in the midfield with Jack Graham suspended for another three matches.
Defenders Sandy Brock and Bo Allan, winger Jayden Hunt and young midfielder Tom Gross are other players pushing their cases.
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7NEWS
22 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter concedes 20-year-old Harley Reid is ‘carrying' their midfield
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says the entire club is sick of losing, but he doesn't think it will dissuade Harley Reid from sticking around. The Eagles slumped to their eighth consecutive defeat on Saturday night when they imploded in the third quarter on the way to a 49-point loss to fellow strugglers Richmond. West Coast trailed by just nine points at halftime before Richmond piled on eight goals to one in a devastating third-quarter blitz to run away with the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) win. Reid racked up a whopping 20 disposals and six clearances in the first half, but he was restricted to just four possessions in the third quarter after Jack Ross was sent to him as a hard tag. Even Richmond coach Adem Yze said he felt 'sorry for the kid' given Reid, at just 20, is now the No.1 target for opposition taggers. West Coast (1-17) are destined to collect their second wooden spoon in the space of three seasons, and Reid has tasted just six victories in his 38-game career. Reid is contracted until the end of 2026, but the depths of West Coast's despair has raised questions about whether the Victorian will re-sign. McQualter doesn't think West Coast's plight will put Reid off from staying, however. 'I think if you see Harley and the way he's invested, he's absolutely in and he's a competitor,' McQualter said. 'He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position. 'Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest. 'But we're the only people that can make a change. It's people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together.' Once Reid was tagged on Saturday night, West Coast had no other midfielder stand up. It was a far different scenario last year when Elliot Yeo — who has missed all of this season with an ankle injury — was there to provide Reid with big-bodied support. 'We are aware that we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield,' McQualter said. 'It's not an easy position for him. As a team we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. 'I thought Harley was by far our best player tonight. 'I loved his team-first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates. I love the way he went about it.' Reid tallied just seven disposals in the second half, but he managed to kick two goals when he was sent into attack in the last quarter. 'It wasn't too much fun. He didn't like it,' Ross said of his tagging job on Reid. 'Harley had an unbelievable first half ... but I like the challenge. He's a hell of a player. 'He took me to places of the ground I haven't been yet. A great talent.'
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Wooden spoon Eagles bank on Reid to stick around
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says the entire club is sick of losing, but he doesn't think it will dissuade Harley Reid from sticking around. The Eagles slumped to their eighth consecutive defeat on Saturday night when they imploded in the third quarter on the way to a 49-point loss to fellow strugglers Richmond. West Coast trailed by just nine points at halftime before Richmond piled on eight goals to one in a devastating third-quarter blitz to run away with the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) win. Reid racked up a whopping 20 disposals and six clearances in the first half, but he was restricted to just four possessions in the third quarter after Jack Ross was sent to him as a hard tag. Even Richmond coach Adem Yze said he felt "sorry for the kid" given Reid, at just 20, is now the No.1 target for opposition taggers. West Coast (1-17) are destined to collect their second wooden spoon in the space of three seasons, and Reid has tasted just six victories in his 38-game career. Reid is contracted until the end of 2026, but the depths of West Coast's despair has raised questions about whether the Victorian will re-sign. McQualter doesn't think West Coast's plight will put Reid off from staying, however. "I think if you see Harley and the way he's invested, he's absolutely in and he's a competitor," McQualter said. "He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position. "Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest. "But we're the only people that can make a change. It's people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together." Once Reid was tagged on Saturday night, West Coast had no other midfielder stand up. It was a far different scenario last year when Elliot Yeo - who has missed all of this season with an ankle injury - was there to provide Reid with big-bodied support. "We are aware that we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield," McQualter said. "It's not an easy position for him. As a team we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. "I thought Harley was by far our best player tonight. "I loved his team-first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates. I love the way he went about it." Reid tallied just seven disposals in the second half, but he managed to kick two goals when he was sent into attack in the last quarter. "It wasn't too much fun. He didn't like it," Ross said of his tagging job on Reid. "Harley had an unbelievable first half ... but I like the challenge. He's a hell of a player. "He took me to places of the ground I haven't been yet. A great talent." West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says the entire club is sick of losing, but he doesn't think it will dissuade Harley Reid from sticking around. The Eagles slumped to their eighth consecutive defeat on Saturday night when they imploded in the third quarter on the way to a 49-point loss to fellow strugglers Richmond. West Coast trailed by just nine points at halftime before Richmond piled on eight goals to one in a devastating third-quarter blitz to run away with the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) win. Reid racked up a whopping 20 disposals and six clearances in the first half, but he was restricted to just four possessions in the third quarter after Jack Ross was sent to him as a hard tag. Even Richmond coach Adem Yze said he felt "sorry for the kid" given Reid, at just 20, is now the No.1 target for opposition taggers. West Coast (1-17) are destined to collect their second wooden spoon in the space of three seasons, and Reid has tasted just six victories in his 38-game career. Reid is contracted until the end of 2026, but the depths of West Coast's despair has raised questions about whether the Victorian will re-sign. McQualter doesn't think West Coast's plight will put Reid off from staying, however. "I think if you see Harley and the way he's invested, he's absolutely in and he's a competitor," McQualter said. "He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position. "Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest. "But we're the only people that can make a change. It's people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together." Once Reid was tagged on Saturday night, West Coast had no other midfielder stand up. It was a far different scenario last year when Elliot Yeo - who has missed all of this season with an ankle injury - was there to provide Reid with big-bodied support. "We are aware that we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield," McQualter said. "It's not an easy position for him. As a team we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. "I thought Harley was by far our best player tonight. "I loved his team-first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates. I love the way he went about it." Reid tallied just seven disposals in the second half, but he managed to kick two goals when he was sent into attack in the last quarter. "It wasn't too much fun. He didn't like it," Ross said of his tagging job on Reid. "Harley had an unbelievable first half ... but I like the challenge. He's a hell of a player. "He took me to places of the ground I haven't been yet. A great talent." West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says the entire club is sick of losing, but he doesn't think it will dissuade Harley Reid from sticking around. The Eagles slumped to their eighth consecutive defeat on Saturday night when they imploded in the third quarter on the way to a 49-point loss to fellow strugglers Richmond. West Coast trailed by just nine points at halftime before Richmond piled on eight goals to one in a devastating third-quarter blitz to run away with the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) win. Reid racked up a whopping 20 disposals and six clearances in the first half, but he was restricted to just four possessions in the third quarter after Jack Ross was sent to him as a hard tag. Even Richmond coach Adem Yze said he felt "sorry for the kid" given Reid, at just 20, is now the No.1 target for opposition taggers. West Coast (1-17) are destined to collect their second wooden spoon in the space of three seasons, and Reid has tasted just six victories in his 38-game career. Reid is contracted until the end of 2026, but the depths of West Coast's despair has raised questions about whether the Victorian will re-sign. McQualter doesn't think West Coast's plight will put Reid off from staying, however. "I think if you see Harley and the way he's invested, he's absolutely in and he's a competitor," McQualter said. "He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position. "Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest. "But we're the only people that can make a change. It's people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together." Once Reid was tagged on Saturday night, West Coast had no other midfielder stand up. It was a far different scenario last year when Elliot Yeo - who has missed all of this season with an ankle injury - was there to provide Reid with big-bodied support. "We are aware that we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield," McQualter said. "It's not an easy position for him. As a team we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. "I thought Harley was by far our best player tonight. "I loved his team-first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates. I love the way he went about it." Reid tallied just seven disposals in the second half, but he managed to kick two goals when he was sent into attack in the last quarter. "It wasn't too much fun. He didn't like it," Ross said of his tagging job on Reid. "Harley had an unbelievable first half ... but I like the challenge. He's a hell of a player. "He took me to places of the ground I haven't been yet. A great talent."
West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Super Netball 2025: West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan on when he knew his side were the real deal
It's no surprise that coach Dan Ryan pinpoints superstar shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard's remarkable return in round three as the turning point in West Coast Fever's record-breaking season. Fever are on the verge of history as they prepare to take on the NSW Swifts for a spot in this year's grand final in the major semifinal at RAC Arena on Sunday. West Coast have not lost since Fowler-Nembhard's comeback inspired them to a 10-goal win over the Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena, breaking the record for the biggest Super Netball winning streak with 12 straight victories. The Jamaican shooter has gone on a tear since her comeback, scoring a league-high 724 goals despite missing the first two matches, putting herself in the position for an unprecedented sixth Super Netball player-of-the-year award. It launched Fever from the bottom of the ladder to their first minor premiership and a club best 12-2 regular season record and in the box seat to claim a second premiership in their history. Ryan told The Sunday Times said the win over arch-rivals Melbourne was the moment he realised his team was capable of big things in 2025. 'The big turning point was the round three game against the Vixens, Jhaniele's first game back and just watching the team in the changerooms before the game it really was a moment where I was watching the team reconnect with its identity,' he said. 'The way we performed in that Vixens game, it was really important for us because we were 0-2, so we were under enormous pressure. It was a great example of every position on the court stepping up and pulling their weight. 'We really wanted to support Jhaniele on that day and I thought the team did a great job in that regard. 'From that point in time, it was a great confidence boost but it saw us go on a journey of backing ourselves and each other and being keen to keept improving and keep growing. That has what every week has been framed as since then.' While Fever don't talk about their remarkable winning streak internally, Ryan said it had given them confidence to tackle any scenario presented in the finals. 'We are connected to the previous performance and into the next. What we're learning about ourselves is our ability to perform and win in different conditions and under different stresses and different circumstances,' he said. 'If it is a goal-for-goal game we're really comfortable with that. If we're up and in control we're comfortable with that. If we're hanging on by a couple of goals we're also comfortable with that and trusting that our processes will take care of themselves. 'There's a quiet confidence but also a great adaptability around whatever condition or circumstance is out there that we've experienced them across the course of this season and last season as well, to know what we need to do in those moments and that's where the confidence comes from more than anything else.' The Swifts have been dealt a massive blow leading into the game after co-captain star Paige Hadley ruled out for a second straight match because of a lower leg injury. It will leave West Coast Fever premiership player Verity Simmons to lead the midcourt having returned to netball this season after a brief retirement which had her play for West Coast in the AFLW last year. 'Paige is a World Cup winner, Commonwealth Gold medallist and multiple Super Netball winner with the Swifts so losing a player of her calibre is always going to be tough, but every player has to be special to play at this level and we have brilliant athletes in our squad,' Swifts coach Briony Akle said. 'Verity Simmons is a Diamond and has won SSN Premierships herself, while Allie Smith has played big games in the middle for us this year so we're well stocked. 'We were hopeful that Paige would be right for the game but it has come too soon for her, and we won't risk any athlete unless they are 100 per cent good to go. 'Either way, finishing in the top two, we know that there is plenty of netball to be played regardless of this weekend so we hope to see Paigey back in the finals stage she belongs on.' The Swifts are already without goalkeeper Teigan O'Shannassy for the rest of the season because of a back injury, leaving Australian defender Sarah Klau to get the match-up on Fowler-Nembhard. Ryan said Fever had to embrace the opportunity in front of them after they earned the right to a home major semifinal having been bundled out in the preliminary final in the past two seasons. 'It's just such a great opportunity. We've fought really hard this season to put ourselves into a top two position because we really wanted to earn this opportunity,' he said. 'Our form and our performances and commitment to achieve that has been really evident and now we want to make sure we maximise this opportunity like we have every other week of the competition. 'We deserve to be here in this major semifinal and play it on our own home court. And now it's our responsibility to step up and make the most of this moment.' The two sides have split their meetings this year, with the Swifts defeating Fever in round one by 18 goals. However, Fever flexed their muscles in round nine, with Fowler-Nembhard scoring 71 goals in dominant 79-68 victory which cemented them as the premiership favourites. Ryan said the two teams were so evenly matched there wouldn't be too much that separated them. 'Both teams can counteract each other's strengths in some ways so it's around who does it better over the course of 60 minutes and who does it more consistently,' he said. 'We've got a deep squad of 10 who can impact and change the game as we need to and the Swifts like to use and rotate their bench a lot as well so we'll prepare for all of those different changes that might be thrown at us. 'Both teams can play the game at a really high level in similar ways, so the consistency element is going to be key.'
