WEST Coast midfielder Mark Hutchings has been ruled out of the Eagles' season opener with a back injury.
 
The 22-year-old played nine matches in his first season with West Coast and he also won the Simpson Medal for best-on-ground in West Perth's win over East Perth in the 2013 WAFL Grand Final.
 
Hutchings was in line to play round one after two very impressive displays in the NAB Challenge.

He gathered 27 disposals and kicked a goal against Fremantle at Arena Joondalup and collected 24 touches against the Sydney Swans at Blacktown.
 
But Hutchings was rested in the last practice match against Fremantle and did not train last week. He may not be available until round three.
 
In other injury news, the Eagles have finally put an official timeframe on the return of Beau Waters from a shoulder injury.
 
Waters, who stood down from the vice captaincy this season to focus on his rehabilitation following shoulder surgery and subsequent complications, is listed to return in four to six weeks.
 
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said last week that Waters shoulder is progressing well but the 2012 All Australian was also struggling with some other soft tissue niggles.
 
"It's not the shoulder at the moment that's holding him back, he's just got a few niggles that aren't massive," Simpson said.
 
"I think we'll find him on the track in the next week or so, and then we'll just progress him from there. It's a slow approach. He's just got to stay away from getting injured during training."