West Coast forward Jarrod Brander faces baptism of fire for SCG debut

WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson says Jarrod Brander will make his AFL debut against Sydney at the SCG on Friday night, but would not confirm whether Liam Ryan, Luke Shuey and Chris Masten will make their returns against the Swans.

The 195cm, 90kg 19-year old Brander, the first player taken by the Eagles in last year’s draft and the 13th overall, would become the seventh AFL debutant for the club this year.

Ex-Port Adelaide player Brendon Ah Chee has also appeared for West Coast to mark eight club debutants.

Brander had 14 disposals and kicked a goal at East Perth in his last game in the WA Day derby against West Perth at Joondalup.

“That is just really exciting for us,” Simpson said.

“These guys have earned their spot and they have played with real enthusiasm when they have come in. Can’t wait to see him play.

‘With the loss of Jack (Darling), we are looking for a forward to replace and play that role. It was a toss up between him and a couple of other guys. Fraser McInnes, we know what he can deliver. We just thought we would give the kid a go.”

Brander, 19, has averaged 1.3 goals and almost seven marks per contest at WAFL level.

“He is our future as well. He has got high end talent,” Simpson said.

“He is only 18 or 19 so we have got to take our time with the bigger fellows but he has got enough from what we have seen at East Perth and from what we have seen this year to suggest that it is going to work for us at AFL level.

“He has got high work rate, a big tank, clean on the ground as well and he is 195cm so - we don’t want to pump him up too much but he is right to go.”

Simpson was less clear on whether Ryan will play his first game since round three after an early season ankle injury, or whether Shuey and Masten will make their returns from hamstring injuries.

He predicted that about 25 players would make the trip to Sydney, most today but some on different flights.

West Coast’s selection of returning players is complicated by the fact that East Perth will play on Saturday, just five days before West Coast’s round 14 clash with Essendon.

Brander will join Liam Ryan, Jake Waterman, Dan Venables, Willie Rioli, Jack Petruccelle and Brayden Ainsworth in making their debut AFL appearances this season.

The seven debutants will be West Coast’s most in a season since the club blooded eight - including Shuey - in 2010.

The Eagles will be looking to break a Sydney hoodo, having not won at the SCG since 1999.