West Coast hope the addition of Jack Williams in attack will help Jack Darling regain his mojo in Sunday's AFL clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Darling has kicked just 1.2 across the opening two rounds, with the loss of fellow spearhead Oscar Allen to a knee injury after round one placing even more pressure on the veteran's shoulders.
West Coast brought in 20-year-old ruckman Harry Barnett for last week's 65-point loss to GWS so that Bailey Williams could spend more time in attack and ease the pressure on Darling.
The move didn't pay dividends, with Barnett comprehensively beaten in the ruck and Bailey Williams having little impact up forward.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson confirmed Bailey Williams will return to the No.1 ruck position this week, Barnett will go back to the WAFL, and Jack Williams will partner Darling in attack.
Last week's sub Ryan Maric is also set to start the game in attack, giving West Coast plenty of marking options, especially if Jake Waterman retains his spot.
Jack Williams managed just five goals across 10 games last year during West Coast's injury crisis.
The 20-year-old has taken huge steps forward during the off-season and Simpson hopes the 198cm spearhead will team well with Darling.
"I think he played probably before he was ready last year, just through circumstances - a bit of last man standing stuff," Simpson said on Friday.
"But he's had a really good pre-season. He took 10, 11 marks last week and kicked four goals.
"He comes in as a forward who can support Jack, and he'll second ruck for us."
Simpson wants to see more from Darling, who managed just 26 goals last year and is already under pressure in 2024.
"We need the best out of him, that's for sure," Simpson said.
"We're probably not getting that at the moment.
"I thought his energy and effort around halving contests was there (against GWS), we just didn't get any production with hands on the ball.
"Talking to him, he felt as good as he's felt all year in the last quarter, which is a good sign that the couple of little niggles he's carrying are gone.
"We're hoping for a better output this week. We've backed him in, we need him to play well, and that's our expectations."
Simpson said veterans Andrew Gaff and Alex Witherden will spend another week in the WAFL to regain form.
In some good news on the injury front, Harry Edwards will play WAFL this week after recovering from a broken finger, while Dom Sheed (foot) and Jai Culley (knee) could return next week.
Star forward Liam Ryan (hamstring) could return via the WAFL in a fortnight.
The Bulldogs have lost Nick Coffield (shoulder) and Ed Richards (concussion) to injury.
Australian Associated Press
