West Coast resist making mass changes to side for Melbourne clash after devastating Hawthorn defeat

Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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VideoQuarters & Barra preview West Coast's round 16 game against Hawthorn.

West Coast have resisted making sweeping changes in the wake of their disappointing 61-point loss to Hawthorn with injured ruckman Matt Flynn the out in the extended squad for their clash with Melbourne.

Flynn will miss the clash with a rolled ankle he sustained in the third quarter of the loss to the Hawks, which led to him being subbed out.

The Eagles have recalled forward-ruck Jack Williams on the back of a four-goal haul in the WAFL as well as 200cm defender Harry Edwards and mid-season draftee Jack Hutchinson for the game at the MCG on Sunday.

Rookie wingman Harvey Johnston is also in line to play his third game of his career and first since round nine after a solid stint for the Eagles’ reserves.

The quartet have been named on an extended bench alongside Reuben Ginbey, Campbell Chesser, Josh Rotham and Ryan Maric, with three to come out of the side when the final team is named on Friday afternoon.

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It’s a startling decision because several players were off their best in the heavy defeat to the Hawks at Optus Stadium that has putre on coach Adam Simpson.

Earlier in the week, Simpson flagged changes would be made on form over a period of three to four weeks and not just the loss to the Hawks.

“We came off a game against Essendon who were at the time in the top four and we were pretty happy with our performance,” Simpson told 7NEWS on Monday night.

Camera IconWest Coast's Jack Williams celebrates a goal. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

“We got good supply; we were up and about with how we moved the ball. Some work to do in some areas but then we had a real poor performance on the weekend.

“So, if we make any decisions like that it’ll be off three or four weeks of form not one game.”

Melbourne will make at least two changes, with forward Harry Petty out with a hamstring injury, while Kynan Brown has been dropped.

Jake Melksham will play his first game of the season as he comes back from a knee injury, while Christian Salem, Bailey Laurie, Jake Bowey and Tom Fullarton have also been named.

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