West Coast select Tyler Brockman for clash against Essendon, in first game back since Geraldton car crash

West Coast Eagles recruit Tyler Brockman is back in the side seven weeks after he was allegedly involved in a car crash in Geraldton. Coach Adam Simpson confirmed on Thursday night that Brockman, 21, would return to the side to take on Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. It will be Brockman’s first game since being charged over a single-car crash near Geraldton on May 4. The forward admitted he must “makes some changes” after the incident. “He is dealing with a fair bit Brocky and he made a mistake and he has got to work through that as a person,” Simpson told 6PR. “But as a player, he sort of took the opportunity to dial in on some metrics where we think we can get some more out of him in the back-half of the year and obviously more than just season, he is 21. “He is working on all that and I’m really pleased that he’s working on all areas. “The boys are really happy he’s back in the side.” Brockman was charged two weeks after the incident in Wandina, with police alleging he crashed a ute into a light post, leaving it crumpled and fleeing the scene on foot before returning to collect the vehicle. He has been charged with single counts of careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident. He is due to appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on July 5. In a statement released after he was charged, Brockman said: ““I would like to apologise for my actions. I accept I have to make some changes to meet AFL standards on and off the field. “I look forward to working on the things I need to so I can return to playing football.” West Coast previously stated that Brockman would be participating in a wellbeing and education program, describing the circumstances as a “complex matter”. In other selection news, Simpson defended the decision to carry four tall forwards into Sunday’s clash. Co-captain Oscar Allen will return for the Eagles from a knee injury for the first time since round one, but veteran forward Jack Darling has been retained as part of a set-up that will also include in-form target Jake Waterman and second ruck Bailey Williams. Simpson insisted the Eagles “will get the balance right” against the Bombers and refuted claims they could be too slow. “Looking at our side that we have selected ... we look pretty quick,” he said. “Brockman will come back in and there are some others there that will come back to the side, Hunt will come back in as well. “The balance there is something we’re looking at with the two-ruck situation that we have got and is something we are still working through. Hopefully we can see it work.” Simpson also hinted he could shift the magnets around in the absence of Dom Sheed, who will miss with a hamstring injury. Liam Ryan spent time playing as a centre-bounce midfielder in Harley Reid’s absence against North Melbourne a fortnight ago. “There might be an opportunity to play some guys in new roles and see what they can do in different positions,” he said.