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Winder beneath their wings: Isiah Winder earns West Coast Eagles debut as medical sub against St Kilda

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Chris RobinsonThe West Australian
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Isiah Winder will earn the unique honour of making his AFL debut as West Coast’s medical sub for this afternoon’s clash with St Kilda.

Winder will officially become the 258th player to represent the Eagles, even if he fails to get on the park, with the AFL considering a named substitute to have played a game.

West Coast left Nathan Vardy on the sidelines as the travelling non-named emergency, with Jake Waterman replacing Luke Shuey as the only change to last week’s starting 22.

Winder, pick 57 in last year’s national draft, is a zippy forward-midfielder who impressed with a five-goal haul at WAFL level last weekend.

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Adam Simpson this week said Winder had impressed at WAFL level beyond just his five-goal display.

Isiah Winder in action during the pre-season.
Camera IconIsiah Winder in action during the pre-season. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“He got rewarded on the weekend with kicking five, but I think it was his third game where he’s performed pretty well at WAFL level,” Simpson said.

“The sky’s the limit for the kids coming through. We think they’re all displaying AFL qualities early on in their careers, which sometimes you don’t see for a while.”

The Saints made no late changes, with Rowan Marshall, Jimmy Webster and Jack Bytel their inclusions and Ben Long the sub.

The Eagles have won 11 of their past 12 match-ups with St Kilda.

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