AXING Dom Sheed wasn't a punishment but the emerging midfielder's "scratchy" form meant he was the unlucky Eagle to make way for returning star Luke Shuey, West Coast coach Adam Simpson says.
After solid 17 and 22-disposal performances coming back from a foot issue, Sheed was a surprise omission for Saturday night's home game against struggling St Kilda.
TEAMS: Eagles, Suns make shock calls
"He's (Sheed) a little bit unlucky, but Luke Shuey comes in and unfortunately Dom goes out," Simpson said.
"He hasn't done a lot wrong, but at the same time he's probably not playing at his best at the moment.
"His body is good and he's definitely available, but probably just needs to go back and get a bit more touch.
"Dom's been back for a couple of weeks and he's been a little bit scratchy in some areas, without going into specifics.
"It's not a punishment, he just got squeezed out."
Sheed will play for East Perth against arch-rival West Perth on Monday.
"It's not the end of the world. We think he's right in there in our best side, but at the moment he's not," Simpson said.
Hard-nosed defender Jackson Nelson returns alongside Shuey, four weeks after his hamstring strain, with Chris Masten (hamstring) making way.
Simpson flagged a reshuffle of his line-up to squeeze in Nelson, with Lewis Jetta and Liam Duggan likely to rotate from half-back into midfield.
The Eagles coach scoffed at suggestions of complacency as his side eyes stretching their winning streak to 10 games, two shy of the club record.
West Coast could head to the bye at least one win clear on top of the ladder with victory over the Saints, who have gone winless since round one and are rank outsiders.
"Complacency? I don't think we've achieved anything that gives us the right to be complacent," Simpson said.
"We've had a good run, we've won some games, which is great for our goal but we haven't accomplished anything yet.
"I think the maturity of the players – win, lose or draw – they'll play with the right attitude.
"(St Kilda) touched us up last year towards the back end of the season and beat us by 30 in contested ball in the last quarter, we just got outhunted and outworked.
"We know what their best looks like."
Meanwhile, Simpson was confident electrifying forward Liam Ryan would be fit to return from an ankle issue after the bye.
The first-year Eagle is ahead of schedule and Simpson didn't rule out bringing him straight back in against Sydney at the SCG in round 13.
"It's all new to him, rehab. Swimming is new to him, and bikes, I don't know how much bike riding he's done over the journey, but he's committed to it," Simpson said.
"He's looking pretty fit, he's still got the same zip, so hopefully we see the same type of player."
