Sport. West Coast Eagles training at Mineral Resources Park in Lathlain. Liam Ryan on light duties. (Harry Taylor (Performance Leadership Consultant is on the left)
The West Coast Eagles are gearing up for their upcoming match against Richmond at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, aiming for just their second victory of the season. A pivotal player in their lineup, mid-forward Liam Ryan, is currently listed as a test following his recent injury concerns.
Ryan has struggled with fitness this season, missing three matches so far, including the Eagles’ recent loss to Port Adelaide due to soreness after traveling with the team. He also sat out the season opener while recovering from a pre-season hamstring issue and was unable to participate in the round four defeat to the Giants due to illness.
At training yesterday at Mineral Resources Park, Ryan engaged in light running and skills work, indicating a positive step towards recovery. High-performance manager Mat Inness provided an update, stating, “Liam got through main training last week, but presented with soreness on Friday. We didn’t want to take any risks for last weekend’s game, but he trained today and we’ll assess him again at our main session on Thursday.”
Team Updates and Injury Reports
In addition to Ryan, young key forward Archer Reid will be available for selection after being managed through the WAFL clash against West Perth due to hamstring tightness. Inness noted, “Archer had some hamstring tightness following the main session last week. Being such a young player and having completed so much work, we decided to give him a week off. He fully trained today and will be available for selection this weekend.”
The Eagles are also monitoring the status of Elliot Yeo, who is undergoing rehabilitation for an ankle injury. While he is currently listed as a TBC (to be confirmed), it remains unlikely he will return to play this season.
Another player to watch is Tim Kelly, who may return to the midfield this week after an impressive performance in the WAFL, where he tallied 27 disposals and kicked two goals. With Jack Graham serving a suspension for three additional matches, Kelly’s experience could be crucial for the team.
Defenders Sandy Brock and Bo Allan, as well as winger Jayden Hunt and young midfielder Tom Gross, are also in contention as they work to solidify their places in the lineup.
As the Eagles prepare to take on Richmond, the focus will be on maximizing their performance and overcoming the hurdles presented by injuries, with the hope of securing a vital win in their campaign.
