Liam Ryan return on hold while Patrick Cripps’ Blues face biggest test of the season

Former Rovers player Liam Ryan’s AFL return has been delayed another week as the forward is confirmed to be in the WAFL side.

The 27-year-old West Coast star has been out of action since going down with a hamstring injury in last year’s nightmare derby in round three, a game in which several Eagles succumbed to injury.

Ryan’s return was set back further when he injured the opposite hamstring in January, but he has been working his way back into the side.

The premiership player made his WAFL debut for the Eagles last weekend and shocked many by lining up at half-back. He gathered 19 possessions and was named one of West Coast’s best in their upset win over East Fremantle.

The Eagles have decided to let Ryan have another week in the WAFL despite their looming match against Fremantle.

West Coast will instead rely on the up-front group with Jamie Cripps and Tyler Brockman, who both played a role in West Coast’s win over Richmond.

Cripps has been a consistent forward this season, booting at least a goal in every game.

Brockman missed a game with concussion but came back into the side against Richmond.

For Fremantle, Dongara’s Jaeger O’Meara is coming off his first game with real minutes in the loss to Port Adelaide.

O’Meara played as wing-defender and had 14 disposals and four clearances before being subbed out in the third term.

Former Towns player and Carlton star Jack Martin is another Mid West star who waiting to come back off a hamstring injury.

He is one of many Blues on the injured list, leaving the door open for Jack Carroll to earn his spot back in the side against premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney. Carroll was made the sub last week, and had little impact on the field after being brought on in the second quarter before suffering a hit from Matt Crouch that caused the Adelaide midfielder to cop a one-week ban.

Patrick Cripps’ Carlton are coming off an upset loss to the Crows but enter the clash against the undefeated GWS as the betting favourites.

The Northampton product will look to replicate his work against the Giants from last year in round three when the skipper put up a career-high 42 disposals.

On Sunday, after having the bye last week, the Sydney Swans will take on a roaring Suns side as Sydney’s Logan McDonald looks to continue his career-best form.

The Coorow/Latham forward has been playing good footy, averaging 10.6 disposals, eight kicks, five marks and 2.2 goals a game.