Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Elijah Hewett’s West Coast career appears at a cross-roads after the out-of-contract midfielder was dropped for the second time this season.
Hewett and Ryan Maric were omitted from the side to take on Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Friday night as part of three changes, with draftee Cooper Duff-Tytler (calf) to miss with injury.
The Eagles have welcomed back experienced midfielder Tim Kelly as well as utility Jack Williams, with top mid-season draftee Oliver Francou to make his debut.
The biggest change though is the omission of Hewett, who spent only two games back in the AFL side after a stint in the WAFL earlier this year.
Hewett has battled to break into the Eagles’ best 23 for much of the season, having struggled when he played predominantly as a forward from rounds five to eight before being axed.
The 22-year-old then returned in round 14 for the one-point defeat to North Melbourne when he had 16 touches, before he struggled in the 53-point defeat to Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, racking up only 11 disposals.
Hewett now finds himself not only out of the side but not even named as an emergency, with another stint in the WAFL set for the Swan Districts product.
His omission will only add to the speculation around his future, with Hewett yet to sign a long-term deal that has widely been reported to be on the table for some time, while there is rival interest from interstate clubs.
West Coast’s midfield is likely to be vastly different from last week’s with No.1 draftee Willem Duursma also set to run through their after playing as a third forward against the Blues.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter conceded it would take time for the new midfield mix to gel.
“That is definitely part of what we’re going through and how we’re trying to resource our players,” he said.
“The more continuity we can get in any line or any area of the ground is good for us.
“It’s definitely a discussion for us and trying to get the mix right plus just play games together is the focus for us.”
Meanwhile, wingman Maric has also been axed for the second time this year, only weeks after he signed a two-year contract extension at the Eagles which would tie him to the club until the end of 2028.
The 21-year-old has come under fire for his disposal efficiency and overall impact, despite averaging 18 disposals this season and was last dropped ahead of the round two win against North Melbourne.
Maric returned in round seven and has played all nine games since before finding his way out of the team.
Duff-Tytler had been ruled out earlier in the week with a calf injury he sustained late in the loss to the Blues.
Kelly returns after he missed the previous week with a minor hamstring strain which will undoubtedly boost the Eagles’ midfield which struggled for impact outside of Harley Reid.
There is plenty of intrigue around the role of Williams who is back for his first game since the 30-point win against Essendon in round 12.
The 22-year-old has been trialled as a key defender since the bye as the Eagles look for defensive depth to backup Rhett Bazzo and Tylar Young in the absence of Reuben Ginbey (quad) and Harry Edwards (concussion).
However, the loss of Duff-Tytler and a knee injury to Archer Reid means Williams could return to his role as a forward-ruck to back up Bailey Williams in the middle, with veteran Matt Flynn still overlooked despite solid form in the reserves.
Adelaide have made one change from the side that lost to Port Adelaide in a Showdown upset, with Isaac Cumming making way for 200cm forward-ruck Toby Murray, who could further stretch the Eagles’ depleted defence.
WEST COAST v ADELAIDE
Friday, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm
EAGLES
B: L Duggan R Bazzo B Starcevich
HB: T McCarthy T Young L Baker
C: W Duursma E Yeo B Allan
HF: T Kelly J Shanahan J Graham
F: M Murdock J Waterman J Hutchinson
FOLL: B Williams H Reid O Francou
I/C: B Hough T Cole J Williams H Davis M Herbert
EMG: J Lindsay T Gross S Brock
IN: T Kelly O Francou J Williams
OUT: R Maric E Hewett (both omitted) C Duff-Tytler (calf)
CROWS
B: M Keane J Borlase M Michalanney
HB: H Hall-Kahan J Worrell R Laird
C: J Soligo J Dawson L Nankervis
HF: I Rankine R Thilthorpe J Rachele
F: A Neal-Bullen D Fogarty B Keays
FOLL: L McAndrew J Peatling D Curtin
I/C: T Murray T Walker S Berry B Cook Z Taylor
EMG: N Murray B Dowling S Draper
IN: T Murray
OUT: I Cumming (omitted)
