West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he would have selected Willie Rioli for Saturday’s must-win clash with Brisbane if the premiership goalsneak was fit to play.
Key points:
- West Coast will not risk a return for Willie Rioli because of the forward’s tight hamstring
- Rioli has returned to the club after serving a two-year ban
- Rioli is one of several Eagles players injured ahead of their Brisbane clash
Rioli’s AFL return has been put on hold in the wake of him suffering a tight hamstring earlier this week.
Star defender Jeremy McGovern (hip) and spearhead Josh Kennedy (finger) have also been scratched against the Lions in another huge blow, with the All-Australian duo joining Tim Kelly (knee) and Brad Sheppard (concussion) on the sidelines.
Rioli was available to return against Brisbane after serving his two-year ban for twice substituting a urine sample during an anti-doping test.
The 26-year-old has been training at the Eagles for the past two months, but a recent case of hamstring soreness curtailed his comeback plans.
“We were going to play him. Everyone we spoke to were pretty keen to get him in,” Simpson said.
“He pulled up a bit tight a couple of days ago and unfortunately we can’t play him — as much as we all would love to.
“It’s the way of our season a little bit. On occasions when we’re ready to bring people, in we either lose people or they don’t get to the line.
“It’s disappointing but not the end of the world.”
