Andrew Gaff returns for West Coast farewell tour as Eagles eye rare away win against North Melbourne
West Coast have named an undersized defence to tackle North Melbourne, resisting the urge to recall young defender Rhett Bazzo for their trip to Hobart.
The Eagles have named retiring wingman Andrew Gaff, who will play the next two games as part of a farewell, as the only inclusion.
Defender Harry Edwards is out with concussion, while vice-captain Tom Barrass was unavailable to replace him after being ruled out with concussion and hamstring issues.
It means the Eagles will be left with only one notable key defender to tackle the Kangaroos in four-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern.
Interim coach Jarrad Schofield faced a similar situation in their 10-point win over Gold Coast last Friday when Edwards was subbed out at quarter-time, leaving second-year star Reuben Ginbey and Alex Witherden to play above their height.
McGovern is likely to get the job on Kangaroos spearhead Nick Larkey, who has taken a liking to playing West Coast in recent years with 22 goals in their past five meetings including five in their nine-point win at Optus Stadium in round 13.
North Melbourne will go in with no shortage of talls, with resting ruckman Brynn Teakle named at centre-half-forward while Charlie Comben and Toby Pink have both played at either end of the ground this year.
Camera IconBrynn Teakle will form part of a tall forward line. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Gaff has been named on the bench alongside Jayden Hunt, last week’s debutant Clay Hall, Jack Williams and Tyrell Dewar with one to be named the sub.
Draftee forward Archer Reid, mid-season draftee Jack Hutchinson and speedster Jack Petruccelle have been named as emergencies.
North Melbourne have been forced to make two changes, with Jaidyn Stephenson and Dylan Stephens both out injured, replaced by veteran Liam Shiels and Miles Bergman.
#Andrew #Gaff #returns #West #Coast #farewell #tour #Eagles #eye #rare #win #North #Melbourne