THE West Coast Eagles will be forced to make at least one change to their side which beat the GWS Giants in a heart-stopping one-point win last week.
Simon Tunbridge will miss the Round 22 clash after being hit with a three-game suspension for a sling tackle which left GWS’ Adam Kennedy unconscious.
Tunbridge’s suspension could open the door for a couple of players to make their way back in.
Lewis Jetta collected 24 disposals for West Coast’s affiliate team East Perth in the WAFL, and could be in line for a recall.
Patrick McGinnity also had a good day in the WAFL, with 23 disposals and eight inside 50s pushing his case for a return to Eagles’ AFL team.
Youngster Liam Duggan will be put through a fitness test after missing two weeks with a calf injury he sustained in the Eagles’ loss to Collingwood in Round 19.
The Eagles are otherwise extremely healthy ahead of last season’s Grand Final re-match.
Nic Naitanui’s return to the West Coast side after having surgery on both feet mid-season has been a revelation, allowing the Eagles’ midfield first use around the stoppages with his crafty ruckwork.
He also proved a crucial goal kicker last week against the Giants, booting the major which secured West Coast a thrilling one-point win over the Giants.
The Eagles are hitting form at the right time of the season, winning their last two games to sit sixth on the ladder and in the hunt for a top-four finish.
Josh Kennedy is proving a dominant forward for the West Coast, having kicked 70 goals so far this season to lead the Coleman Medal with two games remaining in the home-and-away season.
The usual suspects of Luke Shuey, Matthew Priddis and Andrew Gaff ran rampant in the midfield for the Eagles last week and will want to do the same this week at Domain Stadium against the Hawks.
