West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has made another strong statement at the selection table, dropping premiership forward Jamie Cripps for their clash against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The Eagles will be forced to make at least two changes, with Cripps joining fellow forward Archer Reid — who has a knee injury — as confirmed outs from the side that lost western derby 62 by 56 points.

Cripps — who turned 34 on Thursday — went goalless from nine touches against Fremantle, having missed the Gather Round loss to Geelong because he was being managed.

Having signed a one-year deal last year, Cripps has struggled for consistency, kicking three goals in the win against North Melbourne in round two but has only four for the season and is averaging 10 disposals and less than two tackles.

Cripps led the Eagles’ goalkicking last season, booting 24 majors in 21 games to beat now St Kilda forward Liam Ryan (22).

The Eagles are considering playing two ruckmen, with playing group leader one of five potential inclusions after he was best-on-ground in the WAFL win against Subiaco at the weekend.

Flynn responded to his axing after the triple-figure defeat to Sydney with 51 hit-outs, nine clearances, 24 disposals and a goal to push his case to partner Bailey Williams against Saints’ duo Tom De Koning and Rowan Marshall.

Forward Jack Williams is also a chance for his first AFL appearance of the year, having kicked six goals in three games to push his case.

Veteran defender Tom Cole and half-back Ryan Maric have also been named on an extended bench, while speedy forward Malakai Champion has been named in a forward pocket.

Champion kicked three goals from 20 touches in the WAFL, having also been omitted alongside Flynn after the loss to Swans earlier this month.

St Kilda have dropped West Australian-product Hugh Boxshall after collecting 12 touches in the one-point defeat to Adelaide last weekend.

Exciting defender Alix Tauru is one of four potential inclusions alongside fellow backmen Dougal Howard, Liam O’Connell and Angus Hastie.

ST KILDA v WEST COAST

Sunday, Marvel Stadium, 11.10am

SAINTS

B: J Silvagni C Wilkie L Stocker

HB: J Carroll B Hill N Wanganeen-Milera

C: M Windhager M Hall H Garcia

HF: M Wood L Ryan M Owens

F: J Higgins C Sharman R Marshall

FOLL: T De Koning S Flanders J Sinclair

I/C: H Clark D Butler D Howard D Wilson A Hastie M Phillipou A Tauru L O’Connell

IN: D Howard A Hastie A Tauru L O’Connell

OUT: H Boxshall (omitted)

EAGLES

B: L Duggan R Ginbey B Hough

HB: T McCarthy T Young J Linsday

C: W Duursma E Yeo B Allan

HF: E Hewett J Shanahan L Baker

F: M Champion J Waterman M Murdock

FOLL: B Williams H Reid T Kelly

I/C: C Duff-Tytler R Maric M Flynn T Cole J Williams H Davis S Brock J Williams H Schoenberg

IN: M Champion R Maric M Flynn T Cole J Williams

OUT: J Cripps (omitted) A Reid (knee)