The West Coast Eagles match committee has reversed a 2008 trend by injecting more experience than youth into the team to play Carlton in tomorrow night’s blockbuster at Subiaco Oval.
With three forced changes and another made in the interests of team balance, the match committee has, in the main, leaned towards those who have been around the club for several years.
Life-member and midfield veteran Chad Fletcher has earned another recall, with defenders Jaymie Graham and Mark Nicoski also being elevated, while young midfielder Jamie McNamara gets an opportunity.
That quartet comes into the line-up at the expense of injured defenders Adam Hunter (knee), Shannon Hurn (shin), champion on-baller Daniel Kerr (suspended) and tall utility player Brent Staker who has been omitted.
Graham has not played since round two against Adelaide and was a natural replacement for Hunter at centre half-back. He has been in good form for South Fremantle and has the capacity to pinch hit in the ruck or to push forward.
Nicoski and Fletcher were both in fine touch for Subiaco last weekend when the Lions dominated against West Perth and will be looking to re-establish themselves in the team while McNamara will come in for his second game of the season.
This match has created plenty of attention, with former skipper Chris Judd playing his first game against West Coast.
The 2006 premiership skipper and dual club champion returned to Melbourne at the end of last season and has incrementally improved his performances for the Blues in the first six rounds of the season.
Clearly he looms as one of the key factors in the outcome of this contest with the West Coast match committee planning strategies to dull his impact.
The game sold out in just 29 minutes earlier this week, an indication of the keenness of West Coast fans to see their former captain in a rival’s colours.
