Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) Eagles team news: Bo Allan overlooked with Oscar Allen the only change

Top draftee Bo Allan has been sensationally left out of the Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) side to take on Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

It comes as mystery surrounds where co-captain Oscar Allen will play despite being named at full-back in his return from a minor knee injury.

Allan missed the two-point defeat to Richmond at the MCG after he was suspended for a late spoil on former Melbourne captain Jack Viney on debut nearly a fortnight ago.

It was another bump in the stop-start first season for the exciting teenager after two separate bouts of illness cost him an earlier debut after a strong pre-season across half-back.

Allan has been named as an emergency alongside second year midfielder Clay Hall and forward ruck Jack Williams, with the Eagles making only one change for their clash with the Saints.

Allen comes into the team for promising forward Archer Reid, who has been managed after playing the first nine games of the season.

The co-captain was a late withdrawal from the team that lost to the Tigers because of a minor knee injury.

Allen returns for forward Reid, while pre-season signing Sandy Brock and 200cm backman Harry Edwards both retain their positions in the 23-man side.

It means the Eagles have named only one permanent tall forward in last year’s All-Australian Jake Waterman, with Bailey Williams named at full forward but will backup Matt Flynn in the ruck.

Allen has played down back since he came back into the side against Hawthorn in round seven, having taken time away from the club after his meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was became public knowledge.

The forward had kicked only four goals from his first five games this season and was swung in defence to help cover the loss of Jeremy McGovern at the time, who is once again sidelined this time with a concussion.

Waalitj Marawar have predominantly played three tall forwards for much of the season — two permanent and one forward-ruck — which opens the chance for Allen to return forward, where he starred in 2023 with a career-high 53 goals in 23 matches.

The Saints don’t have an overly tall forward line in the absence of injured spearhead Max King with Anthony Caminiti (196cm), Cooper Sharman (193cm) and Mitchito Owens (191cm) the only players above 190cm in attack.

It leaves questions as to why the Eagles would need Allen, Edwards and Brock in the same side.

Eagles coach Andrew McQualter didn’t rule out Allen going back into attack when asked on Thursday.

“It’s one of those discussions were having every week with Oz and we’ll just keep having those discussions and put him in the place where he helps our team the most,” he said.

“We haven’t decided yet for this week, we’ll get through training today and see where it lands.”

The Saints have dropped Claremont product Hugh Boxshall after two games, while Liam Stocker (foot) and Dougal Howard (hamstring) are injured).

They’ve been replaced in the side by Angus McLennan, Mason Wood and Tobie Travaglia.

Waalitj Marawar v Euro-Yroke

Sunday, Optus Stadium, 2.40pm

EAGLES

B: H Edwards O Allen L Duggan

HB: R Maric R Ginbey L Baker

C: J Hunt B Hough J Cripps

HF: L Ryan J Waterman J Graham

F: M Owies B Williams E Hewett

FOLL: M Flynn T Kelly H Reid

I/C: T Brockman T Gross T Cole S Brock J Hutchinson

EMG: B Allan C Hall J Williams

IN: O Allen

OUT: A Reid (managed)

SAINTS

B: A McLennan C Wilkie J Webster

HB: M Hindhager N Waganeen-Milera R Byrnes

C: B Hill J Sinclair M Wood

HF: M Hall D Wilson M Owens

F: C Sharman A Caminiti J Higgins

FOLL: R Marshall J Macrae J Steele

I/C: L Collard T Travaglia M Phillipou H Garcia L O’Connell

EMG: A Schoenmaker H Boyd H Boxshall

IN: A McLennan M Wood T Travaglia

OUT: D Howard (hamstring) L Stocker (foot) H Boxshall (omitted)