WEST Coast defender Jeremy McGovern will cap an amazing turnaround since failing to meet minimum fitness requirements at the start of pre-season when he makes his AFL debut against Carlton on Saturday night.
The 22-year-old key position player missed the majority of the 2013 season after hip surgery and returned to pre-season training out of shape. He was sent away from the main group to train on his own.
The Eagles are seeking to avoid three consecutive losses after starting the season with three wins but will have to do so without their captain in defence.
The one-match ban handed to Darren Glass has provided an opportunity for McGovern, who Eagles coach Adam Simpson confirmed would definitely play.
"(It's) fantastic for him and the footy club," Simpson said.
"He's our third first-gamer to play this year. So we're looking forward to seeing how he goes."
Simpson confirmed McGovern was a long way behind the pack when summer training began last year.
"He (McGovern) has come a long way pretty quickly under my watch," Simpson said.
"He did come back out of shape for pre-season, which was really disappointing. The first impression wasn't a great one.
"He did a little bit of work away from the club with Mark Nicoski, and came back in really good nick just before Christmas. He's done really well."
McGovern was rookie drafted with pick No. 44 in 2011 and was only elevated to the senior list at the end of last year despite injury issues.
Simpson said it took a while for McGovern to learn how to live the lifestyle of an AFL player but his form at East Perth has been so good he played his way into the side.
"When he first got to the club, it was more about just living an elite lifestyle," Simpson said.
"We wanted to get that right. There was no way he was going to play AFL before he did that.
"To his credit he got back to a level where - he's still got some improvement - but it's to a level now where he knows what it takes. And then his performance took over. He's been dominating at East Perth at the moment."
Ellis, meanwhile, will miss the clash against Carlton but has been cleared of serious damage to his calf.
Ellis was subbed out of the Eagles' 14-point loss to Port Adelaide before quarter-time. Although scans cleared him of serious damage, the former Hawk's history of calf injuries forced Simpson to leave him out.
"We don't think it's a massive issue but we're going to leave him out this week," Simpson said.
