West Coast Eagles Defender Brandon Starcevich Faces Extended Absence, Misses Gold Coast Clash
The West Coast Eagles have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their opening round clash against the Gold Coast Suns, with star recruit Brandon Starcevich now further away from his debut due to another injury setback. This development compounds the team's defensive concerns as they prepare to face premiership contenders Gold Coast.
Starcevich's Pre-Season Struggles Continue
Brandon Starcevich, who joined the Eagles after winning two premierships with the Brisbane Lions, has endured a wretched pre-season in 2026. Initially, he narrowly avoided disaster with a minor ACL tear that ruled him out of the State of Origin clash. Subsequently, he picked up a calf injury, which kept him out of the remainder of the pre-season and had already slated him to miss the round one match.
High-performance manager Phil Merriman provided an update, stating, "Unfortunately, Brandon had a very minor separate issue in the same calf last week, which will hold him back another week or two." This setback means Starcevich is now listed as 3-4 weeks away from returning, delaying his debut for at least the first month of the AFL season.
Defensive Woes for the Eagles
The absence of Starcevich is a major concern for the Eagles' backline, which is expected to be under siege this season. Compounding the issue, key defender Harry Edwards will also miss the round one clash as he continues to work through concussion protocols. Merriman noted, "Harry has been a little slower progressing, and he won't be available this week. The expectation is that he'll be available for round two."
This leaves the Eagles vulnerable against Gold Coast, particularly with star forward Ben King posing a significant threat. The defensive unit will need to rely on other players to step up in the absence of these key figures.
Mixed News on Injury Front
In more positive developments, several Eagles players have been cleared to play. Liam Duggan, who was recovering from a concussion, and Reuben Ginbey, dealing with a toe injury, have both received medical clearance. Additionally, veteran Tim Kelly has overcome a hamstring issue and is ready for action.
However, Jack Graham remains a test as he seeks to overcome his own hamstring problem. Merriman explained, "Jack needs to finish off his rehab this week. There are one or two more hurdles to clear before he's available to play."
Progress for Other Injured Players
There is encouraging news for draftee Fred Rodriguez, who has a timeline for his return from a foot injury. He is expected to start running this week, marking a significant step in his recovery. Merriman expressed excitement, saying, "Fred will be running on field for the first time this week, which is exciting for both him and the team."
Tom Gross is also set to rejoin drills as he works back from a hamstring injury sustained during an intraclub clash. Merriman praised his professionalism, stating, "Tom has been really professional in his rehab, and we'll see him taking part in some football drills this week."
The Eagles will need to navigate these injury challenges as they aim to start the season strongly against a formidable Gold Coast side, with the defensive absences posing a critical test for the team's depth and resilience.
