West Coast's Jack Graham could make a shock return from a shoulder injury before the bye, with the midfielder now listed as only two to three weeks away from a return.
Graham has not played since he sustained a serious shoulder injury in the Gather Round defeat to Geelong in round five, which required surgery. Last week, Graham was listed as five to six weeks off returning; however, it was updated today with the 28-year-old now a chance to take on North Melbourne in round 14.
“Jack has really progressed strongly over the last two weeks, which has put him ahead of schedule,” High Performance Manager Phil Merriman said.
Meanwhile, forward-ruck Archer Reid is available to return for his first game since he injured his knee in the round six western derby defeat to Fremantle. Reid was listed as a test last week, but didn’t play at any level, with the club choosing to get further conditioning work into him before he was given the green light.
“Archer was really close last week, but we just felt he needed a little more conditioning underneath him before returning,” Merriman said. “He was able to get a really good game-like loading session in, so he is well set up now for a successful return.”
Out-of-contract forward Tyler Brockman is a chance to suit up for the first time this year, with the 23-year-old touted for some minutes in the WAFL Eagles’ clash against Peel Thunder on Sunday. Brockman has not played at all this year because of a knee injury, while he is also on bail until July after being charged with grievous bodily harm over an alleged street fight in Geraldton during his Christmas break on December 28.
“’Brocky’ has shown a lot in training, so as long as he can get through this week’s sessions, we will see him on managed minutes at WAFL this week,” Merriman said.
Forward Jack Hutchinson is listed as three to five weeks away with a hamstring injury, while veteran forward Jamie Cripps’ return is yet to be locked in as he continues to rehab a knee injury he sustained in the WAFL earlier this month.
“We are still waiting for ‘Crippa’s’ knee to settle, but he is getting stuck into his gym work,” Merriman said. “'Hutch' has progressed well and is up and running with good intensity. He will move through the gears this week, and we will have to make a decision as to whether he returns pre or post-bye.”
Draftee Sam Allen is 10 to 12 weeks off playing after he sustained a serious hamstring injury at training earlier this month, which required surgery. “Sam has started his gym work back at the club,” Merriman said. “He is a very diligent athlete and is already working hard.”
