West Coast Eagles star Jake Waterman to face Gold Coast Suns after overcoming calf concern

All-Australian forward Jake Waterman is set to suit up for West Coast’s season opener against Gold Coast despite a calf concern leading into the game at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

It comes as young guns Elijah Hewett and Noah Long make their long-awaited return from foot and knee injuries respectively after being named on the bench to take on the Suns.

Waterman did not take part in main training on Thursday morning after reporting calf tightness before the session and was in doubt to take his place in the side.

The 26-year-old star has been named at centre-half-forward in a boost for the Eagles, with Waterman coming off a career-best 53 goal season in 2024.

Forward-ruck Bailey Williams, second-year midfielder Clay Hall and speedster Jack Petruccelle have been named as emergencies for the clash.

Hewett, Long, Ryan Maric, Tyler Brockman and Tyrell Dewar have all been named on the bench with one to be the tactical sub.

There were concerns about the fitness of Hewett, who has not played AFL for more than 600 days and missed the pre-season win over North Melbourne in Bunbury with soreness.

Before selection, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter told the media they would not select any players under any clouds with Liam Ryan left out with a hamstring niggle.

“You can’t manage guys at AFL level so essentially anyone we pick, we’re picking them to perform,” he said.

“That’s the way we’ve got to look at it. If there’s players that are coming back from long-term injuries we’ll probably manage them via the WAFL.

“If they’re picked in the AFL program they’ll be picked to perform.”

Meanwhile, Richmond premiership players Liam Baker and Jack Graham as well as Carlton small forward Matt Owies will make their club debut after crossing to West Coast last year.

Matt Flynn has won the ruck battle ahead of Williams and will be backed up by debutant Archer Reid when they take on Suns big man Jarrod Witts.

McQualter said Witts’ recent history of good games against West Coast would carry weight at selection.

“It’s part of the equation for sure,” he said.

“He’s a very experienced ruckman, been doing it for a long time. A big guy, so we have to weigh all that up and pick who we think can compete and beat (Witts).”

Top-draftee Bo Allan was almost a lock to make his debut before he fell ill last week and lost significant weight.

The West Australian revealed on Thursday that Allan would suit up for the Eagles’ WAFL side in a pre-season clash against West Perth in Joondalup on Saturday.

WEST COAST v GOLD COAST

Sunday, Optus Stadium, 3.10pm

EAGLES

B: R Ginbey H Edwards B Hough

HB: T Cole J McGovern L Baker

C: J Hunt T Kelly L Duggan

HF: J Graham J Waterman J Cripps

F: M Owies O Allen A Reid

FOLL: M Flynn J Hutchinson H Reid

I/C: E Hewett T Brockman N Long R Maric T Dewar

EMG: J Petruccelle C Hall B Williams

SUNS

B: W Powell S Collins B Uwland

HB: J Noble C Ballard D Rioli

C: L Weller M Rowell S Clohesy

HF: W Graham T Miller B Ainsworth

F: J Rogers B King E Read

FOLL: J Witts B Humphrey N Anderson

I/C: A Sexton N Holman B Long C Budarick J Jeffrey

EMG: B Fiorini N Moyle C Graham