West Coast Eagles' Brandon Starcevich faces another injury setback, sidelined for Fremantle clash
Brandon Starcevich's transition to the West Coast Eagles has hit another obstacle, with the high-profile recruit sustaining a fresh injury that will keep him out of action. The player has been diagnosed with a low-grade calf strain, forcing him to miss the upcoming pre-season match against Fremantle this Saturday.
This latest development compounds a challenging period for Starcevich, who only recently returned to the field. He participated in two quarters of the Eagles' intra-club game last week, following recovery from an ACL strain that had previously caused him to withdraw from WA's Origin squad. Additionally, he is managing a history of head knocks, including one that sidelined him during the second half of Brisbane's grand final victory last September.
Eagles' defensive unit depleted ahead of pre-season fixture
The injury woes extend beyond Starcevich, as West Coast prepares to face Fremantle with a significantly weakened defensive lineup. Co-captain Liam Duggan has been ruled out after entering concussion protocols, marking his third concussion-related issue in the past two years. Duggan sustained an elbow to the jaw from second-year midfielder Tom Gross during last Friday's clash.
Brady Hough remains unavailable due to an ankle injury, further depleting the Eagles' backline. In more positive news, Hough is expected to return to full training and be available for the pre-season match against Port Adelaide.
Additional player updates and recovery timelines
Other key players are also dealing with injuries as the season approaches. Leadership group member Jack Graham will not feature this weekend because of a hamstring strain, but he is anticipated to recover in time for West Coast's season opener on March 15.
Tom Gross faces a more prolonged absence, with a higher-grade hamstring strain likely to delay his involvement in the early rounds of the AFL season. Forward Tyler Brockman is set to miss six weeks after requiring surgery for an ITB issue, which will disrupt his training regimen.
On a brighter note, midfielder Elijah Hewett and defensive recruit Tylar Young are on track to play against Fremantle after recovering from calf and shin injuries, respectively. Bailey Williams is also poised to rejoin the main group after battling a groin injury throughout the summer, with a focus on rebuilding his football capacity in the coming weeks.
Eagles high performance manager Phil Merriman emphasized a cautious approach to Starcevich's recovery, stating, "Brandon has a low-grade calf strain which we'll make sure we tick every box with." He provided updates on other players, noting that Graham is progressing well and will begin running drills, while Gross's injury necessitates a slower rehabilitation process.
