Eagles bolster defence for clash with Buddy-less Swans
Justin Chadwick and Kat Wong |
West Coast coach Adam Simpson says Rhett Bazzo got almost a season’s worth of experience during the Eagles’ triple-figure loss to Adelaide, but he hopes the teenage defender won’t have to endure similar pain again.
With West Coast missing premiership defenders Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass, Liam Duggan and Shannon Hurn, Adelaide forward Tex Walker booted 10 goals as the Crows romped to a 122-point victory in round 13.
Bazzo, in his 15th AFL game, had first crack on Walker without any success, before midfielder Elliot Yeo, forward Oscar Allen and defender Alex Witherden all tried their luck at containing the Crows ace.
The Eagles’ defence was simply overwhelmed in that loss but the return of Barrass and Duggan for Saturday’s clash with Sydney at the SCG is a huge double boost.
Hurn and McGovern could return the following week, meaning emerging defenders such as 19-year-old Bazzo can go back to playing bit-part roles instead of being thrown to the wolves.
“These guys who perhaps are a little bit underdone playing AFL at a young age … without breaking them, they’re learning a lot,” Simpson said.
“(Bazzo) probably got 20 games’ experience in one against Adelaide.
“Not that it’s something you want to do every week but he’ll be better for the experience.
“With Barrass coming back – vice-captain, should have been (All-) Australian last year – that’ll help support some of the younger players coming through.”
Sydney (5-8) have been bolstered by the return of Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills and Logan McDonald for a game they need to win to stay in the finals hunt.
Veteran forward Lance Franklin remains sidelined with a knee niggle, meaning West Coast have one less thing to worry about.
“Bud’s done some damage on us in the past,” Simpson said, reflecting on the Eagles’ inaugural AFL match at Optus Stadium.
“I keep thinking of that first game … he kicked eight. He’s an A-grade player.”
West Coast are slumped at the bottom of the table with a 1-12 record and a percentage of 51.4.
The bye week gave Simpson’s players a chance to refresh mentally and physically following the disastrous first half of the season.
With a number of senior players returning from injury, the coach is hopeful his team will be far more competitive in their remaining 10 games.
Sydney will not take West Coast lightly as the Swans aim to bounce back from close losses to St Kilda and Brisbane.
“We saw what West Coast did a couple weeks ago (against) Collingwood,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
“They were within 14 points just before three-quarter time and had virtually the same amount of (inside) 50s.”
AAP
