Best 22
B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Beau Waters, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Andrew Gaff, Daniel Kerr, Matt Rosa
HF: Luke Shuey, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Dean Cox, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis, Scott Selwood
I/C: Adam Selwood, Andrew Embley, Sharrod Wellingham
Sub: Josh Hill
Injury list
It has been a busy summer for the West Coast medicos, with Nic Naitanui (groin), Daniel Kerr (knee), Matt Rosa (thigh) and Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) all ruled out for round one. The Eagles have great depth, but they would be disappointed so many key players will make delayed starts to the year. Forward Mark Nicoski (hamstring) is back on the long-term injury list.
The big questions
-The Eagles have been bundled out of the finals in consecutive seasons at the MCG. Can they win enough games to finish top two this season and play crucial home finals at Patersons Stadium, where they have lost just three times in the last two seasons?
-Is this the season young midfielders Luke Shuey, Scott Selwood, Chris Masten and Andrew Gaff take the next step collectively and match it with the competition's best?
-Can important veterans Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr and Darren Glass reproduce their outstanding form of 2012? All finished top 10 in the Eagles' best and fairest last season but are entering their final years.
Summer standout
Josh Hill earned his chance last season following injuries to Mark LeCras and Mark Nicoski, and he took it with both hands. This season, however, there are no guarantees and he has been a standout on the track in an effort to cement a spot in the Eagles' round one team. He has been touted as a more versatile player, capable of pushing up the ground or even playing half-back.
Fantasy cash cow
Andrew Embley missed 16 games last season because of a shoulder injury and his price has dropped as a result. The veteran can be picked up for $264,300, making him an excellent mid-price pick. He notched scores of 94, 121 and 93 in his last three games last season.
Sudden impact
Jamie Cripps crossed from St Kilda without a guaranteed spot in the Eagles' line-up, but his versatility - combined with a spate of injuries - could see him playing from round one. The 20-year-old has trained with the midfielders and impressed under the tutelage of Scott Burns.
It's crunch time for...
… Mark Nicoski. The popular veteran has been placed on the long-term injury list as he returns from a serious hamstring injury and he isn't expected to be available until round seven. Sidelined for the entire 2012 season, the 29-year-old will be in a pool of players competing for a forward line spot when he returns.
Pivotal match
West Coast returns from its mid-season bye with a round 13 clash against Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium. It's the start of a difficult five-week run that also takes in Essendon, Adelaide, Fremantle and the Sydney Swans. A win against last year's runner-up would provide a valuable boost in the run to September.
The Eagles will have a good year if…
… key forward Josh Kennedy stays fit and rediscovers his form of 2011. The 25-year-old was one of the AFL's most influential goalkickers two years ago, but a serious ankle injury sidelined him for 15 games last season. A full season from Kennedy could boost the Eagles into the top two.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: Premiers
