The hopes of a career lifeline for both of West Coast's Supplemental Selection Period prospects have grown in the wake of veteran midfielder Dom Sheed's ACL setback, with the Eagles to now consider how they can strengthen their list for 2025.
Sheed is facing an extended spell on the sidelines, with an uninterrupted recovery timeline likely seeing him miss the entirety of the campaign ahead. Even without factoring in Sheed's recent injury battles, it's unlikely he will step onto the field again for West Coast.
The premiership hero's heartbreaking knee injury - which is set to be met with further consultation on incoming steps to determine his estimated stint in the casualty - does give the Eagles some flexibility with their list at a time where experimentation is key.
West Coast have already welcomed delisted Gold Coast stopper Sandy Brock for a train-on stint over the summer, with the 22-year-old recently joined by recently cut St Kilda James Van Es in pushing for the sole list spot at Laithlain Park during the SSP.
Should the Eagles move Sheed to the inactive list, the manoeuvre would allow the club to fill a second list spot, and at least now strongly consider filling their current vacancy with one of Brock or Van Es.
While the pair of young defenders have seen their prospects of a second chance grow, it could be unlikely for the Eagles to sign both, given their similarity as key position backmen.
The club is reported to have spoken with former Melbourne and GWS defender Adam Tomlinson in recent weeks over a potential SSP chance, with no move locked in as of yet.
The loss of Sheed is a hit to the club's midfield ranks, with the 29-year-old the Eagles' second most experienced onballer behind premiership teammate Eliot Yeo.
While wanting to blood the new wave of ball winners to start his tenure in Perth, coach Andrew McQualter could see the decision to fill Sheed's list spot with a midfield reinforcement as a viable list move.
The clock will be ticking, however, with the SSP's training deadline set for Friday, February 21 - giving the Eagles just over two weeks to potentially settle on a new signing.
From the contingent of cut AFL midfielders from last year's season, ex-Geelong pair Brandan Parfitt and Mitch Hardie, delisted Hawk Cooper Stephens and departed Kangaroos youngster Curtis Taylor could be the most suitable names to consider.
Both Parfitt and Stephens have already settled for moves to Western Australia, joining WAFL clubs Perth and East Perth, respectively, while Hardie (Casey) and Taylor have decided to remain in Victoria.
From the state league's Werribee champion Dom Brew might be the pick of the bunch, with the Western Bulldogs currently trialling the Tigers' premiership hero this summer as he pushes for an AFL contract.
Brew has found some competition from Southport tall Brayden Crossley for the sole list spot on offer at the Kennel, with the Dogs considering bolstering their ruck stocks given the lack of support in the pecking order behind Tim English - who is currently dealing with an abdominal injury.
Any interest in Brew from the Eagles would need to see the mature-aged midfielder satisfied to end his stint with the Dogs and start a trial with West Coast.
This move would be similar to that of ex-Tiger and Eagle Patrick Naish, who had trained with St Kilda ahead of the 2022 season before eventually signing with West Coast by March that year.
Norwood's Baynen Lowe may have been another for the Eagles to consider, however this own SSP chances came to an end after suffering a shoulder injury during a training run with Fremantle last year.
Southport's Boyd Woodcock, Northern Bullants pair Jean-Luc Velissaris and Patrick Fairlie, Coburg's Flynn Gentile, Swan Districts' Jye Chalcraft and East Fremantle's Milan Murdock are other leading midfield prospects from across the country.
