WEST Coast appears to be weighing up significant selection changes for its do-or-die clash against Essendon after holding Jarrod Cameron and Brendon Ah Chee back from Sunday's thrilling three-point WAFL elimination final win.
Experienced defender Will Schofield also wasn't considered for the reserves and is in the mix to stiffen the backline, while star ruckman Nic Naitanui is all but certain to return from a two-month ankle complaint.
Leaving dangerous small forward Cameron and tough midfielder Ah Chee out of the WAFL victory over West Perth gives West Coast greater flexibility at match committee.
Brendon Ah Chee is under consideration for the Eagles' cut-throat final. Picture: AFL Photos
Premiership skipper Shannon Hurn (hamstring) is also under a cloud for Thursday night's Optus Stadium elimination final, although he completed modified training on Friday.
Coach Adam Simpson has decisions to make after the Eagles' disappointing 38-point loss to Hawthorn, with their mix of talls and smalls at either end open for debate.
Naitanui would play on managed minutes and is likely to partner ruck recruit Tom Hickey, the former Sun and Saint who is set for his first September appearance in nine seasons.
Tom Hickey and Nic Naitanui were all smiles after victory over Hawthorn. Picture: AFL Photos
Rising star Oscar Allen has been favoured as the third tall forward and pinch-hitting ruckman, leaving Jake Waterman as a probable unlucky omission to accommodate Naitanui.
First-year small forward Cameron could put pressure on speedster Jack Petruccelle's spot.
Petruccelle has 20 goals from 19 games this year, but managed only one in the past three matches and laid five tackles.
Cameron made seven straight appearances after the bye for 11 majors, and at one point had eight goals from as many kicks in successive matches against Fremantle and Collingwood.
He also averaged four tackles and could be called up on the big stage against the Bombers.
Shutdown backman Schofield was omitted after round 21 however, if Hurn is fit, might take premiership teammate Liam Duggan's spot.
West Coast unsuccessfully applied for Duggan and tagger Mark Hutchings (hamstring) to play in the WAFL on Sunday.
Hutchings seems unlikely to be risked against the Bombers after suffering a recurrence of his left hamstring strain in the round 22 loss to Richmond.
But he will be free to face Claremont next Sunday in the first WAFL semi-final, with the Eagles reserves allowed open selection when West Coast's seniors are playing in the same week.
Mark Hutchings' hamstring has him in doubt for the finals series. Picture: AFL Photos
The reigning premiers' squad is close to fully fit and Grand Final duo Nathan Vardy and Tom Cole are among those in the wings.
Vardy (20 hitouts) competed strongly at Joondalup in tough conditions for big men, but he will be sweating on a report for a dangerous tackle on Mitchell Peirce in the final term.
Cole and half-back Josh Rotham had little to do until the second half as the Eagles dominated inside 50s 65-33 in the 5.15 (45) to 6.6 (42) triumph.
FROM THE TWOS Young Cat left sore, Tiger rucks face off
Inside midfielders Hamish Brayshaw (29 disposals) and Brayden Ainsworth (26) thrived in a scrappy contest.
Ainsworth had chance to win it at the 24-minute mark after West Perth fought back from 14 points down at the last change and hit the front.
But it was former Dockers forward Brady Grey who was the hero, drilling a clutch 40m finish with only seconds remaining.
Top draftee Xavier O'Neill (24 possessions) showed excellent composure as the Eagles won their historic first-ever WAFL final in their inaugural season.
