Bailey Williams, a ruckman for the West Coast Eagles, is suspended for the Western Derby.
Bailey Williams, West Coast’s improved ruckman, will miss the western derby due to a one-game suspension for harsh play against Essendon.
In lieu of star Nic Naitanui (Achilles), Williams, 23, has led the ruck for the Eagles this season and has played in all 20 games in what has been his greatest season to far.
Five minutes into the last quarter, Williams bumped into Redman’s forward pocket, collecting him. The play was deemed reckless, medium impact, and high contact, awarding Williams a one-match ban without any reduction for an early plea.
It implies that the Eagles will probably have to use rookie ruckman Callum Jamieson to tackle Jackson this weekend. Williams is the team’s top ruckman this year, averaging 13 disposals, 27 hit-outs, and four clearances. In recent weeks, he has been paired with second-year big man Jack Williams. Jamieson, 23, has participated in the team’s WAFL games for the past three games and is coming off a 16-disposal, 10-hitout performance against Peel Thunder on Saturday.
The second option available to West Coast would be to start draftee Harry Barnett, who made his debut as a tactical substitute in round 16 against St Kilda when midfielder Tim Kelly was forced to withdraw due to illness.
In his debut season in the AFL, Barnett, 19, only had 10 disposals and eight hit-outs against the Thunder.