Fremantle and West Coast have both been dealt unfortunate injury blows ahead of their Saturday night derby at Optus Stadium.
The Eagles have been forced into two late changes, with Jeremy McGovern's rib and lung concern carrying longer than hoped for and Alex Witherden being withdrawn with a hip injury.
Speedster Jack Petrucelle returns to the lineup having been initially omitted, while Harvey Johnston replaces Witherden with Tyrell Dewar added to the extended bench.
While McGovern's continued absence hurts the Eagles in defence, they do welcome back Elliot Yeo and Jake Waterman, their best midfielder and forward, to significantly bolster their stocks further up the ground.
RACWA Derby team update:
Jack Petruccelle will come into the side for Jeremy McGovern (Ribs).
Alex Witherden (Hip) has been withdrawn as an Emergency and replaced by Harvey Johnston.
Tyrell Dewar has been added as an emergency. pic.twitter.com/cSAyg5WM9z
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) July 26, 2024
Interim Jarrad Schofield provided the latest on McGovern.
"Unfortunately McGovern doesn't get up, didn't get through his test this morning and we'll hopefully get him right for next week," the Eagles coach said on Friday.
"Petrucelle comes into the 23 and then we'll decide how that all unfolds."
"He would've been handy to have against the three talls they've got up front but... gives another player an opportunity."
"He was pretty close... had to take it out of his hands a little bit in the end."
For the Dockers, veteran Michael Walters will be sidelined for longer than initially thought with the hamstring concern that flared up in Fremantle's drubbing of Melbourne last Sunday.
He and skipper Alex Pearce may both unfortunately miss the remainder of the home & away season, the latter receiving surgery on the broken arm he had played through against the Demons.
Coach Justin Longmuir revealed the estimated timeline for both veterans.
"It's the same hammy but it's a different injury. He had some awareness during the game," he said, regarding Walters.
"We got a scan and got a worse result than we would've expected... we're thinking three-to-four (weeks).
"We're hoping he gets back before the end of the season.
"(Alex Pearce) had surgery yesterday, so he had another plate put in."
"He'll be at hospital today and start his journey back."
"We're thinking probably four-to-six (weeks)."
The blows slightly hinder Fremantle's surge to September, with real aspirations for a double chance and potential home qualifying final.
Though Longmuir is looking no further than this weekend's clash, given the result of their last meeting with West Coast, falling by 37-points to the hype of Harley Reid, Jake Waterman and company.
"We touched on it... we think there's a fair bit water gone under the bridge since then and we're a different team," Longmuir added.
A win leaves the Dockers as high as second on the ladder entering Round 21, pending the results of Carlton and Brisbane's clashes.
