Adam Simpson's depleted Eagles have been dealt another hammer blow ahead of Sunday's off-Broadway clash against Hawthorn, with reigning best and fairest winner Tom Barrass failing to make the trip to Launceston.
West Coast announced the star stopper had fallen ill in the hours since the full-back was initially named to face the Hawks.
As first reported on Friday, the flu is said to have swept through the Eagles' camp, laying several players and staff low ahead of the bottom of the ladder battle in Tasmania.
As a result, Barass will be replaced in Simpson's side by Rhett Bazzo, with the Western Australian making his return to action after a fortnight on the sidelines due to concussion.
2022 draftee Harry Barnett has since been called into the squad as an emergency.
With Barass no longer available for the Battle of the Birds, West Coast will be without 2109 games of senior experience due to both injury and illness.
The York Park fixture between the competition's 17th and 18th teams will have no bearing on the eight whatsoever, however, it will have steep draft ramifications, with the loser set to gain the upper hand in the race for soon-to-be No.1 draftee Harley Reid's services.
The opening bounce is scheduled for 1:10pm (AEST).
