WEST Coast has moved prized draftee Campbell Chesser and premiership defender Tom Cole to its inactive list as part of a plan to add desperately needed midfield reinforcements before the start of the season.
The Eagles held a list management meeting on Monday to discuss their options after rookie hopefuls Patrick Naish and Tom Joyce made compelling cases for elevation in Sunday's AAMI Community Series clash against Fremantle.
The club already had one available list spot but created a further two by making the tough calls with Chesser (foot) and Cole (ankle ligaments), who could still be recalled to the main list later in the season.
It is anticipated both Joyce and Naish will now be added to the senior list via Supplemental Selection Period rules before Wednesday's 5pm AEDT deadline, while a spot also remains available for former Fremantle ruckman Luke Strnadica.
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Chesser and Cole can be recalled to the main list later in the season with AFL permission as long as they are replaced on the inactive list by another player who is injured or unavailable at the time.
The club has so far resisted moving star goalkicker Jack Darling to the inactive list. The key forward is unable to train with teammates or play since choosing not to meet the AFL's COVID-19 protocols.
Coach Adam Simpson revealed on Sunday that moving injured players to the inactive list was an option the Eagles were considering ahead of the SSP deadline.
"That's the discussion we've got to have tomorrow," the coach said.
"Out of respect for everyone who's working through their injuries, we just need to work through what our list looks like in the short-term, mid-term and long-term.
"It's all been a little bit rushed. We lost five players last week and three of them to significant injuries, like four to six-month injuries.
"So we've been caught on the hop a little bit and we just need to take a deep breath in the next 24 hours and the decision needs to be made in the next few days."
Joyce has been the standout among West Coast's rookie hopefuls this pre-season and was a regular in the centre square against Fremantle on Sunday, finishing with 18 disposals.
Naish, who played nine games for Richmond between 2018 and 2021, was injected into the game in the second half and made a big impact with 14 disposals and a long-range goal in limited minutes.
The Eagles have already signed former Fremantle forward Hugh Dixon during the pre-season after transferring retired All-Australian defender Brad Sheppard to the inactive list.
Clubs also have the ability to create list spots ahead of the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft by moving long-term injured players to the inactive list.
