WEST Coast key defender Eric Mackenzie is set to play the last two NAB Challenge games after the Eagles opted to leave him out of their squad to face Adelaide on Sunday.

Full NAB Challenge squads for week one

Mackenzie and teammate Mitch Brown are both making their way back from knee reconstructions last year. Both have had superb summers and appeared set to play the majority of the NAB Challenge.

Brown has been named to face the Crows in his first game since he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in round one last season.

Eagles assistant coach Justin Longmuir, who will coach the side on Sunday after Adam Simpson stepped aside, said that there was no issue with Mackenzie.

"It's purely a timing thing," Longmuir said on Thursday.

"They've both come along pretty similarly the whole way and we feel it's probably best prep for ‘Ezy’ (Mackenzie) to get the next two hit-outs at home and then go into round one.

"’Browny’ is probably just a smidge ahead of where ‘Ezy’ is at, and it's a great opportunity for him to play on some really good forwards this week."

As expected, the Eagles have opted to leave out most of their experienced players for the club's only interstate trip of the pre-season.

Defender Will Schofield will captain the side as the Eagles' entire leadership group has been rested.  

Nic Naitanui has not been selected, and with Scott Lycett sidelined with an ankle problem, the Eagles are set to trial new recruit Jonathan Giles and Fraser McInnes as the ruck combination this week.

Longmuir said it was unfortunate for Lycett to miss out, but he expected him to be fit for the Eagles' next NAB Challenge clash on March 3 against Gold Coast.

"All reports are that he'll be right to go next week," Longmuir said.

"It's a good opportunity to test our depth in the ruck department. We've bought ‘Gilesy’ over for that reason. Fraser McInnes will give him a good chop out and it's good development for him as well."

Small forward Jamie Cripps has been named but did not complete training on Thursday, and Longmuir said it was unlikely he would travel to Adelaide after battling a back issue all week.

Longmuir confirmed that new draftees Luke Partington and Tom Cole would certainly play on Sunday. Partington, Cole, Matthew Allen and Jordan Snadden have all been named in the squad.