West Coast axe struggling ruck Matt Flynn as Bailey Williams returns for first game of 2026

West Coast have swung the axe on No.1 ruckman Matt Flynn, with top draftee Cooper Duff-Tytler set to lead the ruck against Geelong at Norwood Oval on Sunday.

Despite defending Flynn during the week after he was convincingly beaten by Sydney counterpart Brodie Grundy in the 128-point defeat at Optus Stadium last weekend, coach Andrew McQualter has left the leadership group member out of the team in a massive statement at the selection table.

Athletic ruckman Bailey Williams has been called up for his first game of the season but the 25-year-old is unlikely to be the main man in the middle after a groin injury hindered him for most of the pre-season.

“Bailey didn’t train much in the pre-season,” McQualter told reporters in Adelaide on Friday morning.

“He’s now put together three or four WAFL games, and a few were on managed minutes. It was really about getting work into his legs. We know his performances and the capabilities he’s got. We just have to work out how much game time if he plays and what it looks like.”

This means Duff-Tytler — who was drafted with pick No.4 last year — is set to take the mantle as the No.1 ruckman in only his fifth game.

Geelong have chosen to rest premiership star Mark Blicavs, leaving Peel Thunder product Mitch Edwards to partner with fellow West Australian Shannon Neale against Duff-Tytler, Williams and Archer Reid.

The Eagles have made three changes, with veteran Jamie Cripps left in Perth as the club manages the premiership forward, while rookie Malakai Champion joins Flynn in being omitted.

First-round draftee Elijah Hewett will play his first game of the season after calf and quad injuries hindered his start to 2026, while recruit Deven Robertson is back after he served a one-match suspension.

Flynn has been omitted for the first time since round one last year, while they are still without experienced midfielder Elliot Yeo, who is battling a groin injury he sustained in the upset win over Port Adelaide in round three.

Geelong have rested three stars in Blicavs, Jack Henry and Jack Martin as they enter the Gather Round clash as overwhelming favourites.

Former Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel returns from injury, while tagger Mark O’Connor comes into the side as a potential match-up for Eagles star Harley Reid.

Premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij will play his first game since the 2024 preliminary final, having missed all of last year with a series of injuries.

Geelong v West Coast

Sunday, Norwood Oval, 10.30am

CATS

B: S De Koning Z Guthrie C O’Sullivan

HB: L Humphries T Stewart O Mullin

C: J Bowes B Smith O Dempsey

HF: S Mannagh S Neale B Close

F: O Wiltshire J Cameron O Henry

FOLL: M Edwards T Atkins M Holmes

I/C: J Kolodjashnij M O’Connor T Bruhn G Miers J Worpel

EMG: J Martin J Henry M Knevitt

IN: J Kolodjashnij M O’Connor J Worpel

OUT: M Blicavs J Martin J Henry (all managed)

EAGLES

B: L Duggan T Young R Ginbey

HB: B Hough S Brock L Baker

C: W Duursma J Graham B Allan

HF: T Kelly A Reid E Hewett

F: H Schoenberg J Waterman J Shanahan

FOLL: C Duff-Tytler H Reid D Robertson

I/C: J Linsday M Owies T McCarthy B Williams H Davis

EMG: R Maric M Flynn M Champion

IN: E Hewett B Williams D Robertson

OUT: J Cripps (managed) M Flynn M Champion (both omitted)