Injured West Coast midfielder Scott Selwood will make a brave attempt to play again this AFL season as the Eagles eye off a dream finals berth.
West Coast sit just one win adrift of seventh spot following Sunday’s 60-point trouncing of Collingwood at Patersons Stadium.
Victory over Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday would put the Eagles in the box seat to secure a finals berth – an accomplishment that seemed near impossible a fortnight ago when West Coast slipped to a 7-10 record.
Selwood was initially expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in June.
But with West Coast’s top-eight hopes alive and kicking, Selwood is in the frame to make a surprise return in time for the finals.
“Selwood is pushing hard, really hard to play,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
“He is running really well, but he won’t be playing this week.”
A Selwood return at the tail-end of the season would be a big boost to West Coast, whose lengthy injury list includes Sharrod Wellingham, Brad Sheppard, Beau Waters, Elliot Yeo, Xavier Ellis, Matt Rosa and the retired Darren Glass.
Star forward Mark LeCras, who was a late withdrawal against Collingwood due to a calf injury, faces a race against time to be fit for the Bombers.
Former Hawk Ellis is set to miss at least two matches after injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder against Collingwood.
Confidence among the Eagles’ camp is sky high following impressive wins over Adelaide and Collingwood.
In contrast, Essendon will enter Saturday’s match on the back of two losses.
Bombers players will also have to deal with the distraction of the club’s Federal Court case against ASADA over Essendon’s supplements scandal.
But the Bombers could be bolstered by the return of skipper Jobe Watson (hip) and Michael Hibberd (hamstring).
Lroy
Guest
Nice summation, win play finals footy, lose you dont. I doesnt get any fairer than that. Like Selwood, but he needs a couple of games for East Perth methinks prior to playing again for the Eagles.
johno
Guest
West Coast, if they beat Essendon this weekend, will play finals thanks to a couple of tough matches to other teams vying for the final 2 places in the finals, 7th and 8th. Collingwood should get 2 more wins against the Lions and Giants but then they face the Hawks in the final round. Their only hope is if the Hawks rest some stars The Crows face the Tigers (home) and Roos (away) before finishing off against the Saints. Three winnable games but the Roos match will possibly be the one they drop. Plus the Tigers will be a tough match The Tigers have the Crows next and the Swans away in the final round. Drop one of those and its goodnight. The Bombers have the Eagles, Suns and Blues. Legitimately they will start favourites in all three games. The Suns meanwhile look gone with games against the Power, Bombers and Eagles to finish their "could have been" season. A game and percentage separates 12th from 7th. With the current top 8 incumbents in Adelaide and Essendon with the simplest equation - will all matches and you will play finals.