WEST Coast's forward line could return to full strength sooner than expected, with spearhead Josh Kennedy and important small Jamie Cripps taking a step forward in their comebacks from foot problems at training. 

Barring any setbacks overcoming soreness, Kennedy is on track to play when the Eagles kick-off their premiership defence in Brisbane in 18 days' time.

The dual Coleman medallist was back involved in skills training at Subiaco Oval on Tuesday morning and looked unhindered jumping for marks and in goalkicking exercises.

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Kennedy's availability for the season-opener would ease the pressure on star tall Jack Darling, who led a youthful attack and bagged five goals in the JLT Community Series opener against Geelong last Friday.

Cripps, who booted a career-best 38 goals last year, has been all-but ruled out of round one and previously tipped by coach Adam Simpson to miss multiple matches following toe surgery.

The hard-running 26-year-old was also back with the main squad on Tuesday and moved freely, raising hopes he could return sooner than expected.

In Kennedy and Cripps' absences, and without retired sharpshooter Mark LeCras, West Coast booted 15 goals and saw promising signs from some youngsters against the Cats.

Versatile tall Oscar Allen staked his round one claim with three majors and five marks, while speedster Jack Petruccelle and draftee Jarrod Cameron (one goal each) were lively.

Big guns Luke Shuey (adductor), Elliot Yeo (toe) and Jeremy McGovern (ribs) got through unscathed and trained on Tuesday.

Yeo picked up 23 touches in roughly three-quarters of game-time, and plans to boost his minutes in the pre-season Western Derby in Mandurah on Sunday.

"I felt pretty good actually. I ticked a lot off with the strength and conditioning side of things," Yeo said.

"I was really happy with how all my stats looked from that aspect and it was a bit of a confidence-booster going forward as well." 

Experienced backman Will Schofield appears doubtful to face Fremantle after copping a corked thigh in an intraclub 12 days ago, being restricted to laps on the rehab bike and walking up and down stairs on Tuesday.

Young defender Tom Cole trained fully after copping a knee to the back in a marking contest against the Cats.