The West Coast Eagles are gearing up to welcome back captain Oscar Allen after their bye next week. After undergoing knee surgery earlier this season, Allen is on track to rejoin the team, either with the senior squad or the WAFL side.
“It’s all tracking towards playing footy the week after the bye. We’ll decide whether it’s through a WAFL game or seniors after a scrimmage next week,” said coach Adam Simpson ahead of Saturday’s match against North Melbourne. The Eagles are cautious about rushing Allen back, considering the team’s recent injury history.
In addition to Allen, star midfielder Tim Kelly is expected to return post-bye, having missed two games with a hip injury. Jake Waterman, who was sidelined last week with a shoulder injury, is set to play this Saturday against North Melbourne. “He’s close to 100% and trained fully yesterday,” Simpson confirmed.
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Promising young midfielder Jai Culley will also make his comeback this Saturday after recovering from an ACL injury. Culley was best on ground in West Coast’s recent WAFL win over Perth and will rejoin the senior side, bolstering the midfield.
Balancing the return of senior players with the development of young talent presents a challenge for the Eagles. “We’ve got an eye on the future, so we need to respect the building phase while acknowledging the contributions of senior players,” said Simpson. “After the bye, we’ll have tough decisions to make as we reintegrate players like Kelly, Allen, and Reid.”
The return of Allen, Kelly, and other key players will be crucial for the Eagles, providing a mix of experience and fresh talent to the squad.
