Team News: Gun Midfielder Waterman Back To Play Against St Kilda

Gun midfielder Jake Waterman will replace the injured Luke Shuey for the Eagles round 4 match against St Kilda on Saturday. 

22-year-old half-forward Jake Waterman will get the nod in place of Luke Shuey this weekend.

After a back injury put a halt to Waterman’s pre-season preparations, the young half forward made his return to footy last week, slotting two goals for the Eagles reserves in the WAFL. 

Waterman will start on the bench on Saturday, with Andrew Gaff moving off the wing to accompany Tim Kelly and Nic Naitanui in the follower positions. That will see Jack Redden and Liam Duggan flank Dom Sheed in the centre of the park. 

This is likely how we’ll see Adam Simpson set his side up moving forward, with Luke Shuey set to now be out until round 13. 

Luke Shuey won’t be back until round 13 after tendon surgery. Yeoy earliest round 10. Plenty of chance for young players to build one their reputations

— adrian barich (@adrianbarich) April 9, 2021

The club website reported today that the 2018 Norm Smith medalist had undergone minor surgery to repair his hamstring. Hopefully, that should provide a long term solution to his soft tissue issues. 

Meanwhile, Jarrod Brander will get his first start of the season after scoring his first AFL goal last week and is the only change to the Eagles forward lines. 

Young defender Tom Cole will come into the halfback line in place of Josh Rotham, who will start on the bench this weekend. 

Jack Petruccelle and Jamaine Jones, who has impressed during the opening three rounds of the year, will make up the remaining two interchanges. 

We could also see a debut in the form of either young small-forward Isiah Winder or Alex Witherden, who have travelled with the squad as emergencies. Both could be in for a shot to take up the medical substitutes position. 

KO: 14:35 AWST, MARVEL STADIUM