West Coast

The Eagles need to replace injured premiership skipper Shannon Hurn and have opted for Witherden over young defender Luke Foley because of the former Lion's experience going into a crunch game. 

West Coast coach Adam Simpson expected an under-pressure Collingwood would travel west with similar motivation to last year's elimination final, when they prevailed with their backs to the wall.  

"There's no illusions about what's happening this weekend. It's game on," Simpson said. 

Rocked by a knee injury to young star Matt Rowell in the first quarter, the Suns kept their focus and made the Eagles work for everything, taking a seven-point lead in the opening minute of the final term.

But some telling aerial contests from Allen and a critical goal that snatched back the lead saw the Eagles steady to kick four unanswered goals and win 12.11 (83) to 8.10 (58).  

It will rule the 27-year-old out of the Eagles' Marsh Community Series clash against Essendon on February 27. 

Darling will also be unavailable for selection in the State of Origin Bushfire Relief match (February 28), with doubt around his place in the Eagles' second pre-season hitout with Fremantle (March 7). 

"It was friendly fire in training and unfortunately he has a small fracture of the cheekbone," Eagles head of football Craig Vozzo told westcoasteagles.com.au. 

On his return from a two-week hamstring lay-off, Hickey sprained an ankle during the second quarter against Melbourne last Friday night.

After being helped from the field, he was able to return for the critical battle against Max Gawn as the Eagles surged home to clinch a 16-point victory.

However, the 28-year-old will miss the Crows trip and is doubtful to be available to face the Western Bulldogs in round 11. 

The Eagles were flogged by a rising Brisbane outfit in round one and are desperate to avoid a 0-2 start ahead of the Grand Final rematch with Collingwood at the MCG.

The Giants will head to Optus Stadium brimming with confidence after dismantling Essendon, and could welcome back Rolls Royce midfielder Josh Kelly from hip and knee issues.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has a tough decision who to send Hutchings to, after free agent Stephen Coniglio (31 disposals, three goals), Tim Taranto (30, one) and Lachie Whitfield (30) tore the Bombers apart.

As part of the package, a new-look Eagles side that lost six players to retirement at the close of last season gave up a future first-round selection for a host of second-round picks from the Suns.

At the time, many questioned why a West Coast team anticipated to drop down the ladder in 2018 would trade away a lucrative draft pick for any amount of second-round selections.

However, the result appears a deal that could turn into a draft bonanza for the high-flying Eagles.

Naitanui is still running awkwardly in his recovery from a ruptured left ACL in round 22 last season, but kicked comfortably on his right foot and took part in stationary handball exercises at Wembley Sports Park. 

Simon Tunbridge also made an appearance with a bandage on his left knee, which was reconstructed by radical hybrid LARS surgery in December, and joined in handball work.