Another debutant in line for Eagles call-up
West Coast could be set to unveil their sixth debutant this season after naming draftee Jobe Shanahan in an extended squad for their clash against Geelong at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.
Shanahan — who was taken with pick No.30 in last year's draft — is one of five potential inclusions alongside fellow first-year Eagles Bo Allan and Hamish Davis.
Forward-ruck Jack Williams is also a chance to return after kicking four goals in the WAFL loss to West Perth at the weekend, second-year forward Archer May has been named at centre-half-forward.
The Eagles will make at least two changes from the side that lost to Adelaide by 66 points on Sunday with spearhead Jake Waterman's season over because of a serious shoulder injury, while the club says forward-ruck Bailey Williams is being managed.
Shanahan is the big inclusion, with the 195cm teenager a chance to come in to bolster the Eagles' defence as they prepare to take on Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron and 203 WA product Shannon Neale.
The Bendigo Under-18 product was drafted mainly as a forward, having kicked 42 goals in 20 games across various levels last year including 11 in three VFL games for Essendon.
But Shanahan was sent into defence for the Eagles' WAFL side last week as they look to cover the extensive injuries to their backline depth led by vice-captain and five-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern (concussion).
Top draftee Allan is a chance to return since he was suspended on debut in the round eight loss to Melbourne at Optus Stadium, while wingman Hamish Davis could be in line for his fifth game and first since round seven.
Geelong have added three players including defender and rising star fancy Connor O'Sullivan, Oliver Wiltshire and potential debutant George Stevens. Brownlow contender Bailey Smith has been named in the midfield amid conjecture he may not make the trip west.
Both teams will be trimmed to the final 23 on Friday afternoon.
Sunday, Optus Stadium, 5.20pm
EAGLES
B: R Maric H Edwards R Ginbey
HB: L Duggan S Brock L Baker
C: J Hutchinson T Kelly J Hunt
HF: J Graham A Reid E Hewett
F: T Brockman O Allen L Ryan
FOLL: M Flynn B Hough H Reid
I/C: N Long B Allan T Cole J Williams J Shanahan H Davis T Dewar
IN: A Reid B Allan J Williams J Shanahan H Davis
OUT: J Waterman (shoulder) B Williams (managed)
CATS
B: C O'Sullivan S De Koning J Henry
HB: Z Guthrie T Stewart M O'Connor
C: M Blicavs M Holmes O Dempsey
HF: G Miers S Mannaghan B Close
F: S Neale J Cameron T Stengle
FOLL: R Stanley B Smith T Atkins
I/C: J Bews L Humphries O Mullin O Henry T Clohesy M Duncan O Wiltshire G Stevens
IN: C O'Sullivan O Wiltshire G Stevens
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