West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has confirmed and explained the club's decision to drop Tim Kelly for this week's Gather Round matchup with Carlton, stating the Eagles' selection committee must be "rewarding the right behaviors".
Kelly will suit up for his first WAFL game in eight years with West Coast's reserves on Friday instead of facing the Blues at Adelaide Oval the day after in what has been McQualter's first major selection call of his Eagles tenure.
The West Coast coach said while the decision has left Kelly "disappointed", it is an opportunity for the veteran midfielder to bounce back while also giving greater opportunities to the club's emerging options at selection.
"Tim has missed out this week; we've been really clear with Tim on what's required of him within his role," McQualter said.
"Tim was really understanding, and disappointed as you would expect, but we're really supportive of Tim that he's going to get back to his best footy.
"He's going to go and play in the WAFL this week and really work on the things that we spoke to him about.
"It's about rewarding the right behaviors every week and picking a team that can win a game of footy.
"It's my job, and it's our job as a match committee to do it, and the expectation is that the players have an understanding that we're picking the best team to win every week, and we're rewarding the right behaviours.
"We're trying to pick a team that really can complement each other. Clearly, we're going to be a bit younger in that space. That's obvious, but that's also exciting as well."
McQualter said the message directed to his leaders is clear, noting the standard that needs to be set by his top brass on and off the field.
The first-year coach held key discussions with recruits Jack Graham and Liam Baker in the immediate aftermath of last week's 81-point defeat to GWS, with McQualter hoping to see a response in Round 5.
"They have to be the ones setting the standard," he added.
"Regardless of performance, that's the same for every leader. So, we have high expectations of our leaders.
"They're proud players, so they're looking to rectify where we're at at the moment."
On top of Kelly's omissions, West Coast could make several more changes for their meeting with the Blues, with all of Liam Ryan, Jake Waterman, Jack Hutchinson, Harry Edwards and Matt Owies in the selection frame.
Waterman (back/calf) and Jack Hutchinson (hamstring) are expected to be available after injury bouts, while Owies has been limited this week but is also tipped to be given the green light.
Waterman's return could spark a forward line reshuffle in McQualter's plans, having utilised all of Oscar Allen, Jack Williams and Archer Reid last week against GWS.
Edwards could earn a return given Carlton's tall forward tandem, with the recently dropped key defender a chance to pair with one-gamer Sandy Brock on McQualter's last line.
Ryan, who did not face the Giants last weekend, will fly into South Australia on Thursday after spending the past few days in Western Australia. The premiership Eagle trained with the WAFL list on Wednesday as he eyes a return.
