Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Simpson ponders Eagles AFL ruck options

West Coast ruckmen Nathan Vardy and Jonathan Giles face a nervous wait to see if they earn selection for Friday night's clash with the Bulldogs.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson will consider changing up his ruck mix in the wake of their disappointing display against Port Adelaide last week.

Jonathan Giles and Nathan Vardy were comprehensively outpointed by Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder in the Eagles' 10-point win on Saturday.

The Power won the hit-out count 48-30, and it translated into a 44-35 win at the clearances.

Ryder's dominance in the ruck also helped Port Adelaide gain a whopping 68-39 win in the inside-50m count.

Although West Coast escaped with a 10-point victory, Simpson knows he needs more from his ruck division.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

But with Nic Naitanui (knee), Scott Lycett (knee), and Drew Petrie (hand) still injured, Simpson's options are limited.

West Coast take on the Bulldogs at Domain Stadium on Friday night.

And with the Bulldogs set to again use forward Tom Boyd as their main ruck option, Simpson will consider axing one of his own ruckmen.

"I thought our ruck division got comprehensively beaten on the weekend, so we'll have a look at that this week," Simpson told 6PR's Sportsday.

"A little bit has got to do with the opposition as well. If the Bulldogs don't play a ruckman, then we'll adapt.

"But we're not going to pull apart our strategy either. It's always a weekly discussion at match committee."

Simpson is reluctant to use Jeremy McGovern as a back-up ruckman given his importance in defence.

Forward Jack Darling can pinch hit in the ruck, while elevated rookie Fraser McIness is a chance to earn a call-up if Simpson axes either Vardy or Giles.

The Bulldogs will be without injured duo Jake Stringer and Josh Dunkley.

Stringer will miss the next two to three weeks with a knee injury, while Dunkley needs surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder and won't return until the tail-end of the season.

The Eagles expect to have midfielder Liam Duggan (corked thigh) available to return after he was a late withdrawal last week.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world