Western derby line-up: West Coast Eagles change swing as Fremantle Dockers welcome dangerous forward

Fremantle welcomes dangerous forward Sam Switkowski against a depleted West Coast as the Eagles plan to make four changes ahead of Western Derby 55 and move up to the top four spot.

Switkowski is set to return from a nine-week layoff after suffering a back injury in Saturday’s game at Optus Stadium, but his comeback has been driven by Fremantle frontrunner Matt Taverner with calf concerns. will be canceled out by

West Coast made four of their own changes that made Josh Kennedy (retired), Tim Kelly (suspended), Willie Rioli (personal reasons) all sit out, and demoted Luckman’s Bailey Williams.

The Eagles have named former Docker Hugh Dixon to replace Kennedy at full forward, and the versatile and tall Josh Lawtham has been named at the interchange as backup Luckman for the second time this season.

Jackson Nelson is another West Coast member and defender Rhett Bazzo has been promoted to the 22nd after serving as an unused medical sub against Adelaide on Sunday.

Williams, Isaiah Winder, Patrick Naish, and Greg Clarke have been named emergency, with one of the quartet acting as a sub for the Eagles.

Liam Henry, who was called up to replace Taverner in the Dockers’ win over the Western Bulldogs, was declared a state of emergency alongside Bailey Banfield, Lloyd Meek and Ethan Hughes.

The clash looms as a potential final home game for Fremantle veteran David Mundy as the Dockers end their regular season in round 23 against Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval.

The top four-bound team is the favorite for Short Price, who have won three consecutive Derby games after beating the West Coast’s 11-game winning streak late last year.

fremantle team

FB: B Walker B Cox J Clark

HB: H Young A Pierce L Ryan

C: J Aish A Brayshaw B Acres

HF: L Schultz S Switkowski D Tucker

F: M Frederick R Rob M Walters

FOL: S Darcy W Brody C Theron

INT: N O’Driscoll G Rogue D Mandy H Chapman

EMG: B Banfield L Meek L Henry E Hughes

IN: Switkowski

OUT: M Taberner (injured) L Henry (medi-sub).

west coast team

FB: S. Hahn T. Ballas R. Bazzo

HB: L Duggan H Edwards J Jones

C: L Foley L Shui A Gaff

HF: J Cripps J Darling Z Langdon

F: J Waterman H Dixon L Ryan

FOL: N Naita Nui J Reden X O’Neil

INT: S Petrevsky-Seton B Hough J Nelson J Rotherm

IN: H Dixon J Nelson J Rotherm

OUT: B. Williams (omitted), T. Kelly (suspended), J. Kennedy (manager), W. Rioli (personal reasons).