West Coast Eagles forward Jake Waterman fails to prove fitness ahead of western derby clash with Fremantle
West Coast’s hopes of causing another western derby upset have been dealt a massive blow, with star forward Jake Waterman to miss at least another week.
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It comes as top draftee Bo Allan firms for a long-awaited AFL debut for the Eagles after being named on the extended bench for the clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Despite failing to train on Thursday, West Coast are set to give important lockdown defender Brady Hough every chance to face the Dockers.
The 22-year-old was named in the back pocket and is set for a tough task on star Fremantle recruit Shai Bolton, but will be racing the clock to prove his fitness after missing main training due to illness.
Waterman will be sidelined for a second consecutive game as he continues to battle back-related calf issues. The All-Australian moved freely in the 30-minute period before the media were escorted out at Mineral Resources Park.
But the club have opted not to rush him back for the derby, with young forward Archer Reid set to keep his spot alongside co-captain Oscar Allen.
Waterman did not feature in the club’s 19-point loss to Brisbane last week after being subbed out of the season-opener against Gold Coast.
He played a starring role in West Coast’s shock victory in the first derby clash of 2024, booting four of his five goals in the first half to set up the boilover result. Waterman averaged more than four goals per game in the Eagles’ five victories last season.
Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Jack Graham is set to return after missing the Lions clash with a hip complaint and will play in his first derby alongside fellow recruits Liam Baker and Matt Owies.
Last week’s sub Jack Petruccelle is the sole omission for the Eagles, while Allan, Graham, forward Jack Williams and ruckman Matt Flynn have also been named on the extended bench alongside Elijah Hewett, Clay Hall, Noah Long, Ryan Maric and Tyrell Dewar.
Flynn’s inclusion in the squad comes after ruckman Bailey Williams was subbed out last week due to cramping.
Allan is in the frame to become the first Eagles player to make his AFL debut in a derby since Petruccelle in 2018 and will be a familiar face for Fremantle players.
The 19-year-old was drafted out of the Dockers’ AFL-aligned club Peel Thunder and won a WAFL premiership alongside Neil Erasmus, Nathan O’Driscoll, Karl Worner, Liam Reidy and Patrick Voss, who have all been named.
Allan, who was taken with pick 16 in last year’s draft, was in the mix for a round one debut against the Suns before falling ill.
He was named in the extended squad to face the Lions but remained in Perth and instead featured for the Eagles’ reserves side in a WAFL practice match against Peel.
Allan got through all four quarters and impressed in defence, at times lining up against confirmed Fremantle debutant Isaiah Dudley.
WEST COAST v FREMANTLE
Sunday, Optus Stadium, 3.10pm
EAGLES
B: B Hough H Edwards R Ginbey
HB: L Baker J McGovern T Cole
C: J Graham T Kelly J Hunt
HF: T Brockman A Reid L Ryan
F: M Owies O Allan J Cripps
FOLL: B Williams H Reid L Duggan
I/C (from): E Hewett N Long R Maric M Flynn B Allan C Hall J Williams T Dewar
IN: J Graham M Flynn B Allan J Williams.
OUT: J Petruccelle (omitted)
DOCKERS
B: C Wagner A Pearce B Cox
HB: H Chapman L Ryan J Clark
C: N O’Driscoll J O’Meara J Sharp
HF: N Erasmus M Frederick S Bolton
F: M Reid J Treacy J Amiss
FOLL: L Jackson C Serong A Brayshaw
I/C (from): M Johnson I Dudley P Voss K Worner J Draper B Banfield L Reidy J Aish
IN: I Dudley K Worner L Reidy J Aish
OUT: B Walker (injured)
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