West Coast remains hopeful 2023 draftee Clay Hall hasn’t suffered a major injury setback after the big-bodied midfielder limped from the track during the Eagles’ final intra-club of the summer.
The Eagles on Saturday gave fans a glimpse of what their Round 1 team could look with the ‘probables’ (in blue) taking on the ‘possibles’ (in white) at Mineral Resources Park.
Hall, who has been pushing for an early season debut since being drafted to the club late last year, started well for the white team in an on-ball role before being tackled by Elliot Yeo during the second quarter where he suffered an ankle injury.
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He was helped from the field by trainers and taken behind closed doors for further assessment, but West Coast is hopeful scans will confirm a low-grade injury.
“I hate seeing it,” Eagles teammate Jayden Hunt told reports post-match. “It happens in pre-season, the way we’ve got to push ourselves – which we have to do – one or two are going to go down, I think that’s league-wide.
“It is definitely heartbreaking to see because he’s been super, super impressive for an 18-year-old around the ball and he’s also the last couple of weeks exploded out of stoppage, which is so good to see.
“I’ll know he’ll be pretty disappointed, but fingers crossed it’s not too bad.”
Hall’s fellow 2023 draftee, Harley Reid, not only got through the game but showed glimpses of brilliance in tight as he firms as a certain Round 1 starter.
Playing for the blue team, Reid began the game on the ball and brought teammates into the game with clean disposals, while his ability to shrug off a tackle from Reuben Ginbey was impressive.
Reid also drifted behind the ball at times to help out in defence.
“(Harley) obviously does a couple of things no one else can do, which is pretty amazing stuff. Good hit-out and I’m looking forward to watching him against Freo and in the season,” Hunt said.
“You’ve got to sometimes take a backwards step and watch him go about it.”
Some members of the Eagles’ forward line found form and confidence, especially veteran Jamie Cripps, who kicked three goals within the first six minutes of the game in a sharp performance. Jake Waterman and Ryan Maric also hit the scoreboard, while Bailey Williams started the game inside 50 with Matt Flynn in the ruck and looked imposing.
“With Flynn in the ruck, Bailey Williams can pinch-hit forward and he gives us a really good presence,” coach Adam Simpson told the club’s website.
“(Tyler) Brockman and (Noah) Long and (Jack) Petruccelle and ‘Crippa’, it’s a fast and dangerous forward line.”
Veteran duo Andrew Gaff and Yeo had strong hit-outs too, while Campbell Chesser was probably the white team’s best performer.
Hunt, himself, was a standout performer, providing great dash and precise kicking off half-back as he racked up the footy.
“I was pretty happy. It was good to mesh with the other backs and build that chemistry,” Hunt said.
“I thought we worked together really well. We had plenty of options to get out of D50 with the forwards working pretty hard, so I was pretty happy.”
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