Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
West Coast have made a stunning selection call, managing co-captain Liam Duggan despite it being their final game of the season when they play Hawthorn at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
The Eagles say Duggan pulled up sore from last weekend’s defeat to Greater Western Sydney, but he has still been named as an emergency and won’t feature in their WAFL game against Claremont on Saturday.
Duggan has been replaced in the team by Bo Allan, who missed last weekend’s 54-point defeat to the Giants, listed as managed as well but travelled to Sydney as an emergency.
The 29-year-old has played all 22 games so far this season but had been under pressure to hold his spot in the best 23 amid a significant form slump in recent years.
“Liam pulled up with soreness from the last game and, in consultation with our medical team, we made the decision that he wouldn’t be named in our starting 23,” said Eagles head of football John Worsfold.
“Instead of reducing one of our other emergency player’s minutes in our WAFL game on Saturday, Liam has agreed to be our holdover emergency, but he won’t play unless required.”
Duggan is averaging only 18 disposals, his worst return 2020, but it has been his efficiency which has been scrutinised the most, with it sitting at 74.6 per cent, which is rated below average.
The premiership defender battled against the Giants, racking up only 13 touches and coughing up five turnovers in 81 per cent game time.
He also trained away from the main group on Wednesday alongside top draftee Willem Duursma and No.1 forward Jake Waterman who have both been named.
Duggan is contracted until the end of 2028, having signed a four-year extension in July of 2024.
West Coast have several strong options at half back where Duggan has played his best football, with mid-season rookie Marcus Herbert averaging 22 touches, while Tom McCarthy (23) and draftee Josh Lindsay (19) have shown creative flair out of defence.
It has forced coach Andrew McQualter to send co-captain Liam Baker to a forward role last week, with the 28-year-old booting two first-quarter goals in a promising sign.
Allan returns after missing the loss to the Giants, having played 18 of 22 games in his second season at the Eagles.
Hawthorn have made only the one change for their trip west, resting enigmatic star Jack Ginnivan because of back soreness, with draftee Jack Dalton getting a chance to play his fifth game.
Ruckman Ned Reeves, out-of-contract forward Calsher Dear and midfielder Sam Butler have been named as emergencies.
West Coast v Hawthorn
Sunday, Optus Stadium, 5.20pm
EAGLES
B: B Starcevich R Bazzo B Hough
HB: L Baker T Young M Herbert
C: J Graham T Kelly B Allan
HF: T.Gross J Shanahan W Duursma
F: M Murdock J Waterman C Duff-Tytler
FOLL: B Williams H Reid E Yeo
I/C: J Lindsay T McCarthy T Cole J Williams H Davis
EMG: R Maric L Duggan J Hutchinson
IN: B Allan
OUT: L Duggan (managed)
HAWKS
B: J Sicily T Barrass B Hardwick
HB: J Impey J Weddle J Battle
C: B Macdonald W Day M D’Ambrosio
HF: D Moore M Chol M Beattie
F: N Watson M Lewis J Gunston
FOLL: L Meek J Newcombe C Mackenzie
INT: H Morrison K Amon J Ward C Macdonald J Dalton
EMG: N Reeves C Dear S Butler
IN: J Dalton
OUT: J Ginnivan (back)
