West Coast Eagles recall Nathan Vardy, Mark Hutchings, Alex Witherden, Jackson Nelson to face Melbourne

Braden QuartermaineThe West Australian
Camera IconJake Waterman has paid the price for his goal-less performance against Collingwood. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

West Coast’s revolving selection door continues to spin, with defender Josh Rotham axed for the second time this season to headline the list of four players dropped for Monday night’s meeting with Melbourne.

Forward Jake Waterman’s energetic performance in the 45-point defeat to Collingwood last weekend didn’t save him, joining Rotham, forward Zac Langdon and midfielder Xavier O’Neill in paying the price.

The threat of rain hasn’t deterred the Eagles from going taller, with back-up ruckman Nathan Vardy recalled to partner Nic Naitanui for just the second time since round seven.

Fellow premiership player Mark Hutchings, an unused substitute last week, will also have the chance to fight for his career after being named in the 22.

Defender Alex Witherden, who has played just once since round nine, was also included alongside utility Jackson Nelson.

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The Demons brought in Jake Melksham for suspended midfielder Jack Viney in their only change. Key forward Tom McDonald was named despite hurting his back last week.

The Eagles, who have lost three of their past five games at Optus Stadium, are in the unusual position of being installed $3.05 outsiders at their one-time fortress. Melbourne are $1.38 favourites with Ladbrokes.

Camera IconJosh Rotham has been dropped. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

West Coast coach Adam Simpson said learning to stop opposition run-ons had been a major focus for the Eagles since their disappointing performance in Shannon Hurn’s 300th game.

“We’re digging a bit deeper about what’s actually happening on game day and why can’t we arrest momentum and get energy around contests and the way we want to play,” Simpson said.

“I reckon there’s been at least four performances this year that we’ve been so far off the game’s been over before you know it. And that just hasn’t been us for a long period of time. And our best, I think we’ve been really competitive.

“So bridging that gap’s been a concern all year and there’s reasons and factors which starts from your pre-season, to your synergy to your availability to your effort and energy on the day.

“So all those things combined have given us an inconsistent look this year. Having said all that, we’re seventh and the ball’s still in our court.”

The Eagles are set for another test of their shaky wet weather credentials, with the forecast for a high chance of showers.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said rain would pose no problems for the Demons as they aim to jump back into the top two following Geelong’s upset loss to Greater Western Sydney on Friday night.

“We’ve played in a lot of dewy slippery games, wet weather games, in the last eight weeks. So we’re prepared for that,” Goodwin said.

“We understand it might be pretty wet. But we’re looking forward to that. It doesn’t affect the way we play, whether it’s dry or wet.”

Simpson rated the Demons, who the Eagles haven’t met since before the pandemic shutdown in round one last season, as having the AFL’s best defence.

“The biggest thing they’re doing this year, probably over the previous years, is their defence is number one in our eyes and the way they set up the ground defensively,” Simpson said.

“(They are) a really hard team to score against and efficiency in your front half is difficult against their defenders. And they do it through work rate and they do it through smarts.

“So that’s the real challenge when you’re playing Melbourne – how can you penetrate their defence? And obviously the contest is something they’ve always been good at.”

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