Can Freo take the win this weekend?

West Coast Eagles axe Campbell Chesser for clash with Brisbane Lions, Jack Darling named on extended bench

Jackson BarrettThe West Australian

Campbell Chesser has fallen victim to West Coast’s poor fortnight, axed as part of Jarrad Schofield’s first Eagles team.

Chesser has been dropped from the team to play Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Sunday, the club’s first match since Adam Simpson’s 11-year tenure as coach came to an end on Tuesday.

Jeremy McGovern will miss with the lung and rib injury that left him grounded in Melbourne this week and is set to be replaced by young defender Harry Edwards.

Luke Edwards, Zane Trew, Ryan Maric and Jai Culley have all been added to the squad and named on the extended bench.

But there could still be more changes coming. Last week’s substitute Jack Williams has been named on-field, while veteran forward Jack Darling is on the bench that needs to be trimmed to five on Friday afternoon.

Darling took on second-ruck duties in the Eagles’ defeat to Melbourne on Sunday.

Pictured is Jack Darling at West Coast Eagles training, Mineral Recources Park, Lathlain Perth.
Jack Darling trains on Thursday. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West Australian

Chesser has played 16 games this season, but had just six touches against Hawthorn a fortnight ago and 11 against the Demons last week.

Jake Waterman has been named to play, despite not making an appearance at training on Thursday, a fortnight after he received a cut to the back of his knee that required stitches.

He is set to play in a forward line that will also include third-gamer Jack Hutchinson, co-captain Oscar Allen and Williams.

Josh Rotham and Tyler Brockman are also on the interchange.

Ruckman Matt Flynn had been listed as a test in the club’s injury list this week and moved well, but trained away from the main group during the session.

Dom Sheed trained fully, but if he plays it will be at WAFL level.

Schofield was named West Coast’s interim coach on Wednesday after Simpson and the club parted ways on Tuesday.

The Subiaco premiership coach has spent time as an assistant at both Port Adelaide and West Coast in recent years.

Brisbane has lost defender Jack Payne with a foot injury, revealing on Thursday the key post could miss up to six weeks.

West Australian defender Brandon Starcevich will miss playing in front of friends and family after the off-the-ball knock that left him concussed and Adelaide’s Izak Rankine banned for four weeks.