LeCras could be Eagles’ derby punt

Mark LeCras will make a determined effort to be available for derby selection after breaking his arm in round three. Source: News Corp Australia

WEST Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson will consider a western derby gamble and could rush back star goal-scorer Mark LeCras for a crunch with Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.

LeCras, 27, will make a determined effort to be available for selection as the champion forward recovers from a broken forearm he suffered in the early moments of the Round 3 win over St Kilda in Perth.

The classy goal-scoring force and back-up midfielder had been more likely to resume after the Eagles bye later this month and a Round 10 outing against power unit Collingwood in Melbourne.

Simpson revealed that he will monitor how LeCras comes through a full week of training before a final decision late this week as West Coast and Fremantle desperately cling to spots in the top eight with 3-3 win-loss records after six weeks.

LeCras has been sorely missed as a crucial ground-level crumbing option as West Coast has floundered scoring chances in three successive losses to powerhouse Geelong on the road, Port Adelaide at home and Carlton by just three points last Saturday in Melbourne.

"He's definitely a chance," Simpson said on his weekly Channel Seven spot in Perth.

"We will see how he goes throughout the week.

"He's got to train and feel good about himself for him to play.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson, pictured after the club's loss to Carlton, will experience his first western derby on Sunday.

"Yeh, he's definitely in the mix."

Simpson approaches his first derby since taking over the Eagles reins at the end of last year when West Coast playing and coaching legend John Worsfold retired.

The Eagles are also expected to consider a recall for important running-back Shannon Hurn, who has not played since he hobbled out of the Round 2 win over Melbourne with a knee problem.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon is tipped to rush critical small forward Hayden Ballantyne back into his starting line-up after the controversial goal opportunist completed a controversial one-week suspension.

A buoyant Lyon defended his outfit after a 13-point home loss to North Melbourne on ANZAC Day when the Dockers managed 55 forward entries to the Roos 45.

The Dockers boss lamented poor ball use in distribution to champion key forward Matthew Pavlich, who booted two goals against the Roo and looms as a pivotal component to hopes of beating West Coast in the most important derby early into a season in the 20-year history of clashes between these two bitter rivals.

Lyon still heralded his Dockers efforts and endeavour in the loss to a brave North.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon is tipped to rush Hayden Ballantyne back into his starting line-up for the derby following his one-week suspension.

"They deserved it but they were better with the ball, but they certainly didn't out-work us or out compete us," Lyon said on Perth radio 6PR.

"Because our effort was really strong it is easy to identify what went wrong, it's not as easy to turn the tap on and fix it.

"We took more marks inside (forward) 50 and even though we didn't win, why didn't we win well we didn't position correctly.

"We know we're playing a quality opposition this week and the Eagles will be thinking it was one that got away as well.

"So both of us get the opportunity to improve our football and get four points."

Lyon confirmed that out of touch forward Chris Mayne is not nursing an injury and is expected to hold his spot to take on West Coast.

Mayne, 25, is a crucial scoring and defensive forward option in support to Pavlich but has lost his aggressive tackling and pressure acts as he has battled a nasty back and ankle problem over summer and into early games this season.

Mayne has managed just two goals from five engagements so far since his comeback and collected an average of only 10 disposals a game.

"He looked a little bit sore late, but he was better again," Lyon said.

"I thought he was quite good on the weekend without being brilliant.

"He will keep going. He will be better again.

"At the end of the day he had a significant ankle and he pushed to get himself up.

"He probably went a week early, but on the weekend he was pretty good and contributed, so I expect him to be fit."

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