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Eagles look to spike Colledge education

Midfielder Brant Colledge, centre, stretches at West Coast training at Domain Stadium. Picture: Lincoln Baker/

UPDATED: The one week suspension dealt to Eagles midfielder Elliot Yeo has opened the door for Brant Colledge to come into the Eagles line up for Sunday’s clash with Geelong at Domain Stadium.

Colledge has been in good form for East Perth for much of the season but has been unable to force his way into a winning team. Coach Adam Simpson has labelled him an inside midfielder and said there were others ahead of him at this stage.

The Eagles cut Tom Barrass, Scott Lycett and Pat McGinnity from the 25-man squad announced yesterday

Yeo’s suspension, and quality Geelong tall forwards Tom Hawkins and Mitch Clark have the Eagles with a selection dilemma: Whether to fill the hole left in the midfield or attempt to add some height in defence. The squad, with Colledge, young defender Tom Barrass and ruckman Scott Lycett named on a seven man bench, suggested they were considering both.

Vozzo said facing Geelong was a big challenge even before the loss of the in form Yeo.

“Elliot’s form has been terrific but we didn’t have him in the latter part of last year. We have to find a way to beat Geelong without him. We are just going to have to work around it. It becomes more of a challenge but it was a big challenge in the first instance,” he said.

Simpson has previously hinted that ruckman Callum Sinclair could be used in defence if needed. Barrass has been excellent for East Perth but has played just a handful of senior WAFL games. Vozzo said the Eagles may still back their under-sized defence to cope with the tall Geelong forwards.

“It is no different to a number of the weeks we have faced. They are obviously good quality forwards and their height is of some concern but we are confident of what we have got down there in Schofield and McGovern and the ability to play some of our mediums as we have done throughout the year. We will probably continue to rely on our system and defending as a group,” he said.