WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson is toying with the idea of a left-field replacement for injured spearhead Josh Kennedy, with recalled backman Eric Mackenzie a chance to fill the void against Gold Coast.
Mackenzie has been brought back ahead of young intercept marking defender Tom Barrass for his first game since round one, and seems an obvious option to stand powerful goalkicker Tom Lynch.
But Mackenzie – who won the 2014 John Worsfold Medal as a shutdown full-back – has been sent to attack in recent weeks at East Perth and Simpson might deploy the 29-year-old as a forward/ruck option.
"He deserves his spot," Simpson said. "He's performed pretty well at East Perth in that role, so we'll look at that.
"Obviously there's (Jeremy) McGovern and Drew Petrie's a 300-game forward, so we like to think there's some options there (to replace Kennedy).
"It's actually quite exciting the different avenues to goal – I don't think we'll be able to replace someone like Josh Kennedy – but finding different ways has actually got all of us energised."
Mackenzie booted 1.3 – his only scores this WAFL season - and won 13 hit-outs in a victory over East Fremantle last month, before partnering Petrie in attack during a one-point triumph over South Fremantle.
Simpson is aware the 197cm veteran is "not Polly Farmer" as a ruckman, but believes he can offer the Eagles versatility.
"His greatest strength is as a key defender, so I'm not crazy on that one," he said.
"But to have a little bit of flexibility in your game, especially when we've got a lot of tall defenders, I think he's identified that as another opportunity to play seniors, so he's embraced it."
The Eagles will take reigning club champion Luke Shuey (calf) and forward Mark LeCras (hip) to the Gold Coast, with the important duo facing fitness tests on Friday.
"We think they're going to play but we just need that final tick-off," Simpson said.
Shuey was sorely missed around the clearances in last Sunday's gripping loss to Greater Western Sydney, and stoppages have become a major headache for West Coast without star ruckman Nic Naitanui.
"Centre bounces in the last quarter on the weekend I think was 9-1 against against the Giants and we lost so much field position," Simpson said.
"We're ranked 18th for clearances at the moment, so we've got to get better."
Naitanui continues to take strides forward in his ACL rehabilitation, and the Eagles will make a call after the bye whether to press on with an attempted return this season.
"Every step he's taken has been a positive one in the past month," Simpson said.
"His straight-line running is as quick as he's ever been. There's other areas he's got to work through."
Meanwhile, Naitanui's sidekick Scott Lycett is set for his first game since last year's elimination final after a PCL reconstruction and shoulder surgery.
Lycett will play managed minutes for East Perth on Monday, while goalsneak Willie Rioli will step up to WAFL seniors after booting four goals in his comeback from hamstring surgery in the reserves.
