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West Coast premiership star Jamie Cripps to boost Eagles against North Melbourne in historic Bunbury clash

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Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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VideoThe 29-year-old is now set to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a committal mention hearing.

West Coast premiership star Jamie Cripps has completed a near-miraculous comeback from minor knee surgery only two weeks ago to be named for the Eagles’ clash against North Melbourne in Bunbury on Sunday.

Cripps has missed the past two games because of a minor knee issue he carried into the Eagles’ round 10 win over St Kilda and was set to be sidelined until after the bye.

But the 33-year-old has made a quicker than expected recovery and has been named in the extended squad to take on fellow bottom two side in the Kangaroos at Hands Oval.

Cripps is joined by South West product Clay Hall and ruckman Bailey Williams in the extended squad as the Eagles look to claim an elusive win against Alastair Clarkson’s side.

“Everyone heals differently and he’s just healed a bit quicker than expected which is terrific,” Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said on Cripps.

Forward Liam Ryan has also been named in the starting side after being listed as a test after he copped a bad cork to his lower leg early in their 43-point loss to Geelong at Optus Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Game AFL 2025

Hall and Williams have been named on an extended bench alongside Tyler Brockman, Noah Long, Tyrell Dewar, Jack Williams, Ryan Maric and last week’s sub Bo Allan with the squad to be cut to 23 on Friday afternoon.

North Melbourne have named three West Australians in their squad with former Fremantle defender Griffin Logue as well as small forward Robert Hansen Jnr and ruckman Brynn Teakle in the squad.

Swan Districts product Logue has not played since round six, while Teakle has been named for what could be his first game of the season after the Northampton product played 11 matches last year having been picked up in the mid-season rookie draft.

Hansen Jnr has not played since round four but signed a contract extension last month to remain at the club until the end of 2026.

The Kangaroos have lost backman Aidan Corr to injury, while Finnbar Maley has been dropped, with Kallan Dawson and Cooper Harvey also a chance to come into the team.

The Eagles travel to Bunbury on Saturday where they will have main training at Hands Oval before taking on the Kangaroos on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s awesome we get to spend another game over here in WA. It saves us getting on a plane which is great,” McQualter said.

“We’re really excited to get down to Bunbury ... we’ve got a couple of guys that grew up near there which is great.

“Our families can go to another game which is great.”

Jamie Cripps at West Coast Eagles training.
Camera IconJamie Cripps at West Coast Eagles training. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West Australian

There has been a lot of talk leading into the game about a strong Southerly breeze which favours scoring to the City end of the oval.

It was a significant factor in the Eagles’ pre-season win over the Kangaroos, with only five goals kicked into it but McQualter wasn’t concerned about the conditions.

“I’m very poor at predicting the weather and the feedback we’ve got at the moment is it doesn’t look like it’s going to be as windy as it was last time,” he said.

“If it is on the day, we’ll adjust accordingly but hopefully it’s not a big issue.

“We’re going to be prepared. We’ll have a run around on Saturday afternoon, but at the end of the day it’s a big chunk of grass with some lines on it and four posts up either end.”

North Melbourne v West Coast

Sunday, Hands Oval (Bunbury), 1.10pm

KANGAROOS

B: C Comben T Pink G Logue

HB: R Hardeman C Daniel L McDonald

C: D Stephens L Davies-Uniacke J Simpkin

HF: T Powell N Larkey C McKercher

F: P Curtis J Darling C Zurhaar

FOLL: T Xerri G Wardlaw H Sheezel

I/C: F O’Sullivan Z Fisher L Parker C Harvey J Konstanty K Dawson B Teakle R Hansen Jnr

IN: G Logue C Harvey K Dawson B Teake R Hansen Jnr

OUT: A Corr (injured) F Maley (omitted)

EAGLES

B: R Ginbey H Edwards T Cole

HB: L Duggan S Brock L Baker

C: J Hunt H Reid J Hutchinson

HF: J Graham A Reid J Cripps

F: E Hewett O Allen L Ryan

FOLL: M Flynn B Hough T Kelly

I/C: T Brockman N Long R Maric B Allan C Hall B Williams J Williams T Dewar

IN: J Cripps C Hall B Williams

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