INTRIGUE continues to surround Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis' selection for West Coast's crunch clash against St Kilda, with Eagles coach Adam Simpson refusing to reveal if the retiring champion will return for Sunday's match.
Priddis has been named on the extended interchange for Etihad Stadium contest after missing last round's win over the Brisbane Lions.
Interestingly, the veteran hasn't been listed on the Eagles website alongside the other six members of West Coast's extended bench who will play for East Perth if they miss AFL selection.
Apart from confirming Priddis is fit and available, Simpson wouldn’t shed any light on the 32-year-old's chances this weekend.
"His quad (injury), he's got through that. He's trained all week, so he'll be available," Simpson said.
"I know there's been lots of questions on it, and I think we've been as open and as transparent as we can be.
"I really hope we continue to respect the man, what decision he made and enjoy and embrace the last five weeks of his career."
Speculation has swirled about what triggered Priddis' call to hang up the boots when he was contracted for next season, and whether he is still in the Eagles' best 22 with the team scrapping to play finals.
On Thursday, he denied there was any rift with Simpson, insisting the decision for him to retire was mutual.
"My relationship with Adam is awesome. He is a mate," Priddis told Mix 94.5.
"One thing I tried to make as clear as I possibly could was, 'let's just be honest, mate'.
"That is where we have got to go and it was a mutual decision, and I am really comfortable with it.
"It takes into account list management, my form, my role going forward.
"There are plenty of exciting times ahead. Over the next four weeks we have got to enjoy that and hopefully we can play some finals footy."
With a top eight spot on the line, Simpson was keen to move on from the Priddis discussion on Friday.
"I know there's still the commentary, but from our end we've been saying the same thing since last Friday, haven't we?" he said.
The Eagles occupy eighth spot on the ladder and face a Saints outfit playing for their season and with the motivation to send off great Nick Riewoldt with a finals appearance.
It could also be retiring Eagles recruit Sam Mitchell's last game in Melbourne, with the ex-Hawks champ set to become a West Coast assistant coach in 2018.
"Milestone games and retirement games are important, they're big for the club and the player, but this game there's a lot more at stake at the moment," Simpson said.
"If we're going to really challenge and cement a spot in the top eight, there's only four games left.
"This is our No.1 priority, and we're going to throw absolutely everything at it."
The Eagles will be forced into one change, with key defender Tom Barrass (groin) ruled out.
Ruckman Nathan Vardy is fit to return from a glute strain after veteran Drew Petrie carried the load against the Lions.
But the last remaining 2006 premiership player at the club, Sam Butler, might have played his final game.
The 31-year-old defender was close to returning from a hamstring injury, but is now on the long-term injury list due to shoulder surgery.
"Those conversations (about his future) are ongoing," Simpson said. "But we'll leave them between us at the moment."
