Tom Gross returns for West Coast against Richmond as Eagles hope to turn around dire clearance numbers

West Coast draftee Tom Gross will be among five Eagles to play their first game at the MCG on Sunday, with the teenager among three additions for the winless side as they take on Richmond.

One of the bright spots in an otherwise dire season for West Coast, Gross will feature in his first AFL game since round six.

Last year’s pick No.46 impressed in his first two games before falling out of the side after being used as a sub against Essendon as the club looks to manage his way into AFL life.

He played forward in the WAFL Eagles’ upset win over South Fremantle but will likely run through a midfield that has yet to win a clearance battle in any of their first eight games.

“We think Grossy’s going to be a really good mid in the long-term for us but it’s really hard to play AFL mid your first year,” coach Andrew McQualter said on Thursday.

“There’s just not many people who do it so we’re trying to find another way for him to get into the team.”

It comes as the Eagles also confirmed they will take a ruck combo to help overcome Richmond captain Toby Nankervis, with Bailey Williams coming in for Jack Williams.

Max Gawn annihilated the Eagles last weekend with Matt Flynn and back-ups Archer Reid and Jack Williams unable to compete as he put together a commanding performance.

It will be just the fifth time Flynn and Williams will have played together, but the Eagles will be hoping, in the absence of a dominant ruck, the pair can outwork Nankervis who has been vital to Richmond’s two wins this season.

Pre-season signing Sandy Brock also returns, getting the nod ahead of Harry Edwards to fill the void left by Jeremy McGovern’s concussion.

After conceding nine goals to Jesse Hogan on debut, Brock will hope for an easier time against Richmond’s forward line, likely to take on either Ryan Mansell or 2024 draftee Jonty Faull, with captain Oscar Allen set for a Tom Lynch challenge.

West Coast’s line-up contains five players who will be featuring their first game at the MCG: Gross, Brock, Archer Reid, Elijah Hewett and Ryan Maric.

A further four players – Harley Reid, Brady Hough, Reuben Ginbey and Jack Hutchinson – are chasing their first win at the home of football.

Victorians Campbell Chesser and wingman Harvey Johnston were also on the flight despite not being named in the squad, while injured premiership hero Dom Sheed also flew out.

Chesser is still recovering from ankle surgery, while Johnston has been bordering on selection this season as a wingman but will miss the weekend’s WAFL game.

It comes as luckless defender Callum Jamieson has again been sidelined with a hamstring injury after only one WAFL game.

WEST COAST

B: R Ginbey O Allen R Maric

HB: L Duggan S Brock L Baker

C: J Hunt H Reid B Hough

HF: J Cripps J Waterman J Hutchinson

F: J Graham A Reid L Ryan

FOLL: M Flynn E Hewett T Kelly

I/C: T Brockman M Owies T Gross T Cole B Williams

EMG: N Long J Williams H Edwards

IN: S Brock T Gross B Williams

OUT: J McGovern (concussion) B Allan (suspended) J Williams

RICHMOND

B: N Vlastuin N Balta B Miller

HB: T Brown J Short N Broad

C: T Dow S Lalor H Ralphsmith

HF: S Green J Ross S Campbell

F: R Mansell T Lynch H Faull=

FOLL: T Nankervis T Taranto J Hopper

I/C: L Trainor S Banks J Hopper K McIntosh K McAuliffe

IN: K McAuliffe T Sims

OUT: M Rioli (omitted) J Trezise (omitted)