The inclusion of star forward Mark LeCras is one of five changes to the West Coast Eagles team aiming to crack its first win of the season against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
LeCras, who kicked 58 goals in 2009 and was unlucky to miss all-Australian selection, was ruled out of last week’s clash with Port Adelaide because of a minor hamstring strain, but has been given the green light to resume.
His absence was felt against Port, with the Eagles able to muster just 12 goals from 60 forward 50 entries.LeCras, who kicked 58 goals in 2009 and was unlucky to miss all-Australian selection, was ruled out of last week’s clash with Port Adelaide because of a minor hamstring strain, but has been given the green light to resume.
Also included are key position utility player Will Schofield, hard running wingmen Matt Rosa and Bradd Dalziell and key forward Ashley Hansen.
Dalziell, secured by West Coast as part of the trade that saw Brent Staker head to Brisbane, will make his debut for the club, earning his opportunity with some outstanding form with WAFL club East Fremantle.
In two games for the Sharks he has amassed close to 30 possessions, displaying his noted hard-running capacity in proving a damaging player for his club.
Rosa, forced out of the opening game against Brisbane because of a back complaint, also ensured the match committee took notice of his form with Peel last week where he also shone through his running ability and ball gathering capacity.
The selection of Schofield comes on the back of commanding form for Peel. After narrowly missing selection in the opening two rounds, his form for the Mandurah-based club has been exceptional, including a best-0on-ground effort last Saturday in a losing team.
Premiership forward Hansen earned a recall with a two-goal effort for Swan Districts last Saturday, but as evident as his impact on the scoreboard were his work rate and ability to affect a contest. Had he finished more effectively he could have bagged four or five goals in a Swans team that eclipsed reigning premier South Fremantle.
Making way for those five inclusions are defender Sam Butler (facial fracture), half-forward Mark Nicoski (shoulder), tenacious midfielder Pat McGinnity (quad), rebounding defender Shannon Hurn (suspended) and tall defender Eric Mackenzie, who has been omitted.
Mackenzie was named as an emergency with forward Ben McKinley, who kicked four goals for East Perth on Monday, and pacy defender Ashley Smith, who has not yet played a senior game for the club after being drafted in November 2008.
B: Spangher, Glass, B Jones
HB: Embley, Schofield, Waters
C: Rosa, Priddis, Dalziell
HF: Masten, Kennedy, Shuey
F: Brown, Hansen, LeCras
Foll: Naitanui, Kerr, A Selwood
I/C: Cox, Ebert, S Selwood, Swift
Emg: McKinley, Mackenzie, Smith
In: Schofield, Rosa, Dalziell, Hansen, LeCras
Out: Butler (facial fracture), Nicoski (shoulder), Hurn (susp), McGinnity (quad), Mackenzie
