Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) hope to answer Kuwarna’s (Adelaide) tall timber forwards

Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) co-captain Oscar Allen is set for a return into defence after the Eagles named only two genuine key defenders to tackle Kuwarna’s (Adelaide’s) triple threat of tall forwards at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The Eagles will be without five-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern to tackle the Crows, meaning Allen is a chance to return to defence after kicking two goals in the breakthrough win over Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) at the weekend.

Second-year forward Archer Reid is one five potential inclusions alongside top draftee Bo Allan, small forward Noah Long, utility Tyrell Dewar and inside midfielder Clay Hall.

The Eagles have lost veteran Jamie Cripps (knee) and recruit Matt Owies (calf) from the side that beat the Saints, meaning they will be forced to make at least two changes.

Allen returned to the forward line for the first time in since the Gather Round defeat to Carlton in round five, kicking two goals from 13 disposals — only the second time he’s kicked multiple goals this year.

Reid was rested from the game after playing the opening nine rounds and returns where he will likely partner reigning All-Australian Jake Waterman in attack.

The Eagles are going to need a third tall defender to help pre-season signing Sandy Brock and 200cm backman Harry Edwards tackle Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe — who have combined for 66 goals this year — with Allen the likely man to swing into defence.

Injuries to McGovern (concussion) and Callum Jamieson (hamstring) meant out-of-contract backman Rhett Bazzo was the only other likely option but he won’t make the trip to Adelaide.

Allen has been named at full forward, but was named at full back last week before playing in attack.

Eagles coach Andrew McQualter would not rule out Allen playing in defence against the Crows when asked before main training.

“We talk about it regularly, we’re going to play Oscar wherever the team needs him,” he said.

“The Crows do have a tall forward line that they rely on a lot, so we’ve got to get our contest right in that space and we’ll pick a team we think most capable to do that.”

Adelaide could go into the game unchanged naming only three inclusions so far in Luke Pedlar, Sid Draper and Billy Dowling.

KUWARNA (ADELAIDE) v WAALITJ MARAWAR (WEST COAST)

Sunday, Adelaide Oval, 11.10am

CROWS

B: J Worrell J Butts R Laird

HB: M Michalanney M Keane M Hinge

C: I Cumming J Dawson D Curtin

HF: B Keays R Thilthorpe J Peatling

F: D Fogarty T Walker A Neal-Bullen

FOLL: R O’Brien I Rankine J Rachele

I/C: L Pedlar J Soligo Z Taylor W Milera S Draper B Dowling S Berry L Nankervis

IN: L Pedlar S Draper B Dowling

EAGLES

B: T Cole H Edwards R Maric

HB: L Duggan S Brock L Baker

C: J Graham H Reid J Hunt

HF: E Hewett J Waterman J Hutchinson

F: T Brockman O Allen L Ryan

FOLL: M Flynn B Hough T Kelly

I/C: R Ginbey N Long A Reid B Allan T Gross C Hall B Williams T Dewar

IN: N Long A Reid B Allan C Hall T Dewar

OUT: J Cripps (knee) M Owies (calf)