WEST Coast is set to be boosted by the return of superboot Lewis Jetta for the Good Friday clash against Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium.
Jetta was sorely missed after being a late withdrawal from the dour Western Derby but has overcome a sore hamstring, and appears likely to squeeze young half-back Josh Rotham out of the line-up.
MATCH PREVIEW Eagles v Power
"We'll work out who he (Jetta) plays for pretty soon, but he's in our best 18 so if he's available he'll play, and he's available," coach Adam Simpson said ahead of match committee.
Rotham has held his own in two big-game appearances, including the round three Grand Final rematch with Collingwood when he slotted in comfortably on debut.
"He didn't look out of place, which was really good, and he was really predictable, so that's a good sign for our future," Simpson said.
The Eagles are unlikely to make many changes to an outfit which won a third-straight game in the derby, with in-form forward Jake Waterman out of contention.
Waterman has bagged 10 goals in two WAFL appearances this season but has hamstring tightness.
Simpson indicated West Coast would stick with its two-ruck policy against Power duo Scott Lycett, returning for his first game against his former club, and Paddy Ryder, despite the threat of rain on Friday.
"It's probably up there with the best combination in the competition," Simpson said of Port's ruck duo.
"We all know what Scott can do, he's had a really good start to the season, and Ryder has been an elite A-grader for a number of years.
"I'd say they'd be pretty pleased with what Scott's done this year."
Ryder is ranked seventh in the League for hitout win percentage, ahead of Lycett (13th), and Eagles due Tom Hickey (16) and Nathan Vardy (21).
"We're a little bit different with our expectations with our rucks," Simpson said.
"We don't need them to get 25 possessions and 80 hitouts, we need them to compete really hard and play their role around the ground.
"Their numbers aren't going to look great and as individuals they're not getting massive minutes in the ruck either.
"The standings and all the ratings that people do, it's not going to look as good as others who ruck on their own."
Vardy and Hickey are auditioning for the back-up spot once Nic Naitanui returns from a second knee reconstruction.
MID-SEASON DRAFT 50 players who could spark up your list
Simpson is yet to lock in a date for Naitanui's comeback, but the 201cm ruckman is eager to get back as soon as possible.
"It's a big comeback from a second knee reconstruction, so his mental state is as important as his physical, so that's a good sign," Simpson said.
"Does that mean he comes back earlier? Probably not.
"There hasn't been any hiccups, but there hasn't been any advancement on the discussion I've had in terms of mid-season.
"I think we're on schedule. I just don't know what the exact date is."
Ahead of his 100th game, the Eagles have announced a one-year contract extension for tagger Mark Hutchings, taking him through until at least the end of 2020.
"He’s as professional a player as we’ve seen, up along with Matt Priddis," list manager Brady Rawlings said.
Find In the Game on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify
