MID-SEASON draft sensation, Jack Hutchinson, will line up with the West Coast Eagles against Essendon at Marvel Stadium this Sunday in his second senior AFL game.
It will be Hutchinson’s first match in Melbourne, retaining his place in the side after his debut against North Melbourne before the bye, despite the return of co-captain Oscar Allen and Tyler Brockman into the team and likely into the forward line.
The numbers will be further squeezed the following week when Harley Reid returns from suspension.
It will give Hutchinson’s mates from Wonthaggi Power the chance to travel down to Marvel Stadium this Sunday, for the 1pm start against 4th placed Essendon.
Allen will play his first game since round one after battling a knee injury, and in his absence, Jake Waterman has hit career-best form, kicking 33 goals to sit equal-second in the Coleman Medal race.
“I think Jakey has really thrived on the leadership side of things with (Jack) Darling as a bit of a mentor for him,” coach Adam Simpson said at the selection table media conference.
“Jack has really supplied some really good support and pressure around that forward line, and Jake has really stood up with his presence.
“I would’ve thought Oscar complements that, but that might not be straight away.
“But it’s great to know that we’ve got a couple of young forwards there who in the long run they’ll make it work.”
With ruck recruit Matt Flynn returning from injury in two games before the bye, Bailey Williams has shuffled his role to a preferred forward-ruck position and mid-season rookie Jack Hutchinson is retained in the side.
However, Simpson highlighted the flexibility of precision-kicking Ryan Maric as another way to look at the line-up.
The Eagles will regain classy forward Tyler Brockman from a club-imposed suspension, while veteran Andrew Gaff and defender Harry Edwards will play WAFL against South Fremantle.
