West Coast forward Jack Williams is being backed to thrive as a key defender after being selected for Friday night's clash with Adelaide in Perth.
Long-term injuries to Reuben Ginbey (quad) and Harry Edwards (concussion) have left West Coast without their two best key defenders.
Rhett Bazzo, who has spent most of the past five years in the WAFL, and former Richmond player Tylar Young have been holding down the key defensive posts in recent weeks.
But with Edwards officially ruled out for the rest of the season and Ginbey facing a race against time to play again in 2026, West Coast have started training up Williams as a defender.
The 22-year-old has spent most of his 34-game AFL career as a key forward and back-up ruckman, but kicked just two behinds from his four AFL outings this season before being axed.
But there is hope he can thrive as a defender, and he was solid in the backline in the WAFL last week.
With the Crows boasting Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty in attack, West Coast have sent an SOS to Williams to hold down a key defensive post at Optus Stadium on Friday night.
"He's only played one game (as a key defender) in the WAFL, in pretty tough conditions last week," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said.
"But Jack's a very smart footballer. He's a great contest player, and he played juniors as a back as well.
"It's not easy to throw someone mid-year into a different position, but I think he's going to be really capable of it if asked to do it."
Williams may also play some minutes in the ruck after Cooper Duff-Tytler was forced out with a calf injury.
Star midfielder Tim Kelly returns from a hamstring niggle and mid-season recruit Oliver Francou will make his AFL debut, but out-of-contract midfielder Elijah Hewett has been dropped for the second time this season.
Jack Williams takes a strong grab and kicks the Eagles' first 🦅#AFLNorthEagles pic.twitter.com/LzpHESj5As
— AFL (@AFL) June 8, 2025
Hewett tallied just 11 disposals in last week's 53-point loss to Carlton, and it remains to be seen whether he stays at West Coast beyond this season.
Adelaide made just one change from last week's shock 26-point loss to Port Adelaide, axing wingman Isaac Cumming in favour of forward/ruck Toby Murray.
Star Crows midfielder Izak Rankine has shaken off a knee/ankle injury to make the trip to Perth, but Wayne Milera will miss a second consecutive game with a hamstring strain.
