Eagles hand Johnston rare AFL chance against Demons

Out-of-contract forward Harvey Johnston will get a rare opportunity under coach Andrew McQualter after being named to take on Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Inclusions and Changes

Johnston and Jack Hutchinson will play their first games of the season, while defender Harry Edwards is locked in for his return after recovering from concussion. It comes as the Eagles make only three changes from the side that lost to the previously winless Richmond by 11 points last weekend.

Elijah Hewett and Harry Schoenberg have been dropped, while former Carlton small forward Matt Owies is out with a calf injury after only one game back in the senior side.

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Harvey Johnston's Opportunity

Johnston is one of 18 Eagles who are out of contract this year, with the 20-year-old to get his first taste of AFL action under McQualter. The wingman-turned-forward played the last of his six AFL games in round 24, 2024 but has forced his way into the side after strong form in the reserves where he has averaged 14 touches, four tackles and a goal in five games.

Jack Hutchinson Returns

Meanwhile, Hutchinson will play his first match since round 20 last season after he sustained a stress fracture in his ankle late last year which required surgery. The No.3 pick in the 2024 mid-season rookie draft, Hutchinson is seen as a vital cog in the Eagles' rebuild.

Hutchinson is one of the longest contracted players at the club, having signed a three-year extension in the middle of last year to tie him down until at least the end of 2029. Co-captain Liam Baker, star forward Jake Waterman and recruit Brandon Starcevich are the only other West Coast players who are tied to the club for at least that long.

McQualter said the 24-year-old would add versatility to the team when he stepped out for his 24th AFL game as West Coast sought to end a five-match losing streak. "We really rate Hutch's ability to play multiple positions," he said. "He's tough, he's athletic and he's an important player to our team so it's great to have him back."

"We know we've got flexibility with Hutchy. We're not sure what his best position is yet, but we'll make sure we pick the best team available, and Hutch will be a part of that."

Edwards Returns

Edwards has been named at full back and will play for the first time since he sustained a second concussion in less than a month early in the Eagles' victory against North Melbourne. The 200cm backman's return is timely, with the Demons one of the most dangerously offensive sides this season, having kicked 100 points or more in six of their eight games.

Meanwhile, the Eagles have conceded an average of 117 points a game this season — more than any other team. "We have had some challenges defensively and Harry Edwards coming back into our team is a brilliant result for us," McQualter said. "We've missed him dearly and he's an important piece to our back half."

"Melbourne have played an incredibly aggressive, fast game style this year and that poses challenges but it also provides opportunity. So if we get our defence right we think there will be opportunity going back the other way."

Melbourne Changes

Melbourne have made one change, welcoming back premiership backman Jake Bowey who has been sidelined since December after undergoing surgery for a Lisfranc injury. Star forward Brody Mihocek will miss the game with a hamstring injury which is set to cost him about a month on the sidelines.