Sinclair in hurry to kick some majors
Upgraded West Coast rookie Callum Sinclair says he must start nailing his opportunities in front of goal to hold his spot.
The 24-year-old ruckman has been one of the fringe Eagles to benefit under coach Adam Simpson, having been promoted from the club’s rookie list to play the first two rounds of the season ahead of Scott Lycett.
But the jury remains out on the move’s success, with Sinclair having kicked just one goal in two big wins.
The versatile tall booted 1.2 against Melbourne in the Eagles’ 93-point victory on Sunday and said he was mindful of making the most of his chances leading into Saturday’s game against St Kilda at Patersons Stadium.
Sinclair played five AFL matches early in the 2013 season but was pushed out of the side after round six.
“I need to capitalise on my opportunities,” he said.
“I’m getting shots on goal. I probably just need to start putting them through the sticks. That’s probably the main thing.
“That flexibility I spoke about, I need to make sure that all of us ruckmen are being able to have a contribution forward, but also in the middle of the ground.”
The promotion as added back-up for Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui has come at a time when Naitanui has been building towards full fitness.
Naitanui entered the season having played in just two practice matches but started to hit his straps against the Demons with 16 possessions, 13 hit-outs and a goal.
Sinclair first spoke to Simpson during the pre-season about the possibility of West Coast fielding three ruckmen, but said his promotion to the senior list had still come as a surprise.
“As long as it’s not compromising the balance of the side, it (our talls) can be a strength, but it’s a week-by-week thing,” he said.“It really depends on who we’re playing and who we match up on.”
Lycett, 21, kept the pressure on with a strong performance for WAFL affiliate East Perth on Saturday.
Sinclair said the pair got along “really well” despite the competition for a spot.
Meanwhile, the prognosis on Shannon Hurn is worse than first thought and the defender is expected to miss up to six weeks with a knee injury.
