High Performance Manager Phil Merriman provides an update on West Coast’s returning players
By westcoasteagles.com.au
West Coast draftee Fred Rodriguez is set to play for the WAFL Eagles on Sunday as he completes the final stages of his recovery from a foot injury.
Rodriguez has been building his workload following a foot stress fracture during pre-season and the midfielder is a test to feature against Swan Districts.
“As long as Fred gets through training this week without any issues, he’ll be available for managed minutes,” High Performance Manager Phil Merriman said.
After reporting knee soreness in the Western Derby, forward-ruck Archer Reid will be sidelined this weekend with a timeline to return to be confirmed.
“Archer has come out of the game with some knee soreness and won’t be available to play in round seven,” Merriman said.
“We are gathering more information on this, and timeframes will be determined at a later date.”
In a promising development, key defender Harry Edwards is expected to pass through the concussion protocols this week.
“Once Harry has completed the protocols, we’ll start to spend a little more time exposing him to contact drills,” Merriman said.
Sam Allen continues to progress well through his rehabilitation from a knee injury and is now entering his performance block ahead of his return in approximately six weeks.
Recruit Brandon Starcevich continues to build strongly as he rehabilitates his calf injury, with his running volume and intensity steadily increasing.
Jack Graham will remain unavailable as the next phase of his shoulder rehabilitation is finalised, with surgery now scheduled.
“After allowing Jack’s shoulder to settle, we made the decision to repair his rotator cuff, with timeframes to be confirmed over the next two weeks,” Merriman said.
Meanwhile, Tyler Brockman remains without a set return date as the club continues to manage his knee rehabilitation.
Midfielder Dev Robertson is scheduled to undergo knee surgery later this week, while Noah Long and Jacob Newton continue their respective knee and foot rehabilitations.
Foot
Test
Concussion
1-2 weeks
Calf
4-5 weeks
Knee
6 weeks
Sam is continuing his football build. We are seeing him in more and more football activities, whilst also focusing heavily on his change of direction.
Shoulder
TBC
Knee
TBC
Knee
TBC
Knee
Season
Noah sustained a knee injury in the pre-season match simulation against Fremantle. He will unfortunately be sidelined for the 2026 AFL Premiership season.
Read Article
Foot
Season
Knee
Season
Injury: Foot
Est. Return: Test
Injury: Concussion
Est. Return: 1-2 weeks
Injury: Calf
Est. Return: 4-5 weeks
Sam Allen
Sam is continuing his football build. We are seeing him in more and more football activities, whilst also focusing heavily on his change of direction.
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: 6 weeks
Injury: Shoulder
Est. Return: TBC
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: TBC
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: TBC
Noah Long
Noah sustained a knee injury in the pre-season match simulation against Fremantle. He will unfortunately be sidelined for the 2026 AFL Premiership season.
Read Article
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season
Injury: Foot
Est. Return: Season
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season