WEST COAST TURN TO FORMER DOCKER LUKE STRNADICA AS JEREMY MCGOVERN TO MISS PORT ADELAIDE...
0West Coast turn to former Docker Luke Strnadica as Jeremy McGovern to miss Port Adelaide clash
Luke Strnadica will make a long awaited AFL debut for West Coast against Port Adelaide this weekend to complete an AFL resurrection story after his delisting by Fremantle. The 203cm left footer has been brought into the Eagle steam to provide ruck support for Bailey Williams in a match they need to win to avoid sinking to the bottom of the AFL ladder. Strnadica replaces another former Fremantle player Hugh Dixon who was ruled out because of a calf injury. But the Eagles will again be without defender Jeremy McGovern who missed last week because of Covid protocols. The Eagles will give further chances for players overlooked for last Friday’s disappointing loss to Sydney with forward Jake Waterman and midfielder Xavier O’Neill recalled. Strnadica. 23. was taken as a supplementary selection by the Eagles after spending summer at the club even though he spent much of the summer rehabbing plantar fasciitis in his foot. He had played impressively as a ruckman for East Fremantle in 2021 and was viewed as providing important depth in the ruck department to cover the loss of Nathan Vardy. He spent two seasons at Fremantle as a rookie after being drafted by the Dockers in the 2017 rookie draft. West Coast’s WAFL coach Robert Wiley had labelled Strnadica as “certainly heading in the right direction” after 17 dsiposals. three marks and 29 hit outs in the WAFL against Perth last weekend had the Eagles on the verge of an upset win. Coach Adam Simpson labelled him a genuine ruckman on SEN on Thursday afternoon. “He’s performed quite well at WAFL level and he’s come in and trained with us. He hurt his planta fascia in the pre season.” he said. “He gets his debut for the club this week. Really looking forward to see what he’s got and can’t wait to see him play.” Waterman and and O’Neill were also strong contributors against Perth. Waterman kicked two goals from 18 disposals and narrowly missed a tough shot that could have won the game in the last minute. O’Neill was the Eagles best in the game with 27 disposals. 9 clearances and 10 inside fifties. The previous week against Collingwood the 21 year old had made a breakthrough at AFL level with 24 disposals. five clearances and nine contested possessions in the upset win over the Magpies at Marvel Stadium. Connor West. who was also impressive against the Magpies but unavailable against Sydney because of a hip complaint. comes back into the team but there was a familiar ring about the omissions. with Josh Rotham. Zac Langdon and Jamaine Jones dropped on top of the injured Dixon. For Port Adelaide. Ollie Wines will return to the side after missing with a heart problem. while speedster Karl Amon will make way after their heart breaking loss to Carlton.
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