Former Rover Liam Ryan set to make season debut for West Coast, joining Cripps and Brockman up front

West Coast are on a roll and they will be helped with Rovers product Liam Ryan coming back for his first game of AFL action in more than a year.

Ryan has been out of action since the round three derby in 2023, but will make his debut after two stints in the WAFL.

He has featured down back, but will likely return to his comfortable position up front for the side this week.

The Eagles are on a surprising two-game winning streak following their upset win over Fremantle in the derby, but they will have a hard time repeating the efforts this week.

They will play a Gold Coast Suns side that suffered a nine-goal loss last week, but the Eagles will be without first year sensation Harley Reid, who is set to be rested, and key backman Tom Barrass, who has been suspended.

In the forward line, Ryan will join Jamie Cripps, who has kicked a goal in every game this season and been a work horse up front for West Coast.

Tyler Brockman was not a massive feature in the upset win, but could see more action with close friend Ryan coming back into the side and opening up the forward line.

Fellow Rovers export Judd McVee played during the Anzac Day eve clash against Richmond, where Melbourne got up 13.7 (85) to 5.12 (42) in a sluggish match.

He played a part in the Demons backline that kept the Tigers quiet and stopped them from having a chance at coming back into the match.

He finished the game with 14 disposals, four marks, two tackles and one clearance.

At the MCG on Saturday, Carlton has a tall task when they take on top-of-the-table side in Geelong.

Northampton’s Patrick Cripps found elite form last week during their win against the Giants, receiving 10 coaches votes after putting up a season high 39 disposals and 13 clearances.

The skipper was also the highest rated player of the round according to Champion Data with a rating of 30.3, and he is only the second player this season to achieve a rating above 30.

He will have to front the Cats still without the Towns’ Jack Martin, who is yet to play this season after a hamstring has set him back.

Martin is expected to be back in the next three weeks if his recovery goes well.

Chapman Valley’s Jack Carroll was the sub again last week and will need to step up if he wants to stay in the side as the Blues have players returning from injury over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile the Railways Jaeger O’Meara has rejoined the Fremantle side after being the sub to start the season, and played his most minutes in last weeks derby loss to the Eagles.

O’Meara has seen his time split from the wing and defensive end after being pushed out of the midfield by the Dockers young talent.

He will take on the Bulldogs at home on Saturday, as Fremantle look to snap their three-game losing streak.

In the final game of the round, Sydney and Logan McDonald take on Hawthorn in a match that is expected to be heavily one sided.

McDonald is having a career year to start the season, taking the leap that many had hoped after Buddy Franklin’s departure, with 13 goals kicked in six games.