Eagles won't target injured Tiger Martin

Apr 6, 2017 - 5:11 AM West Coast coach Adam Simpson insists his team won't target Dustin Martin as the star Tiger attempts to play with a fractured cheekbone in Saturday's AFL clash at the MCG.

Martin fractured a cheekbone against Collingwood last week, but played out the game and has been given the green light to line up against the Eagles.

The Brownlow medal fancy might even wear a helmet to offer extra protection.

But Simpson promised there would be no untoward conduct from his players in an attempt to expose the injury.

"Whack him? No, I don't think so," Simpson said on Thursday.

"I'm not sure if he's going to wear a helmet or not. If he's right to play, he's right to play.

"We won't be targeting his head."

Simpson confirmed Lewis Jetta would earn a recall for the match to replace axed midfielder Dom Sheed.

Jetta pulled up sore in his glute midway through last week and the Eagles decided to play him in the WAFL instead of at AFL level knowing he wouldn't be able to play a full game.

The former Swan tallied 19 disposals for East Perth and Simpson said Jetta's inclusion would give his side better balance.

Saturday's match will pit two unbeaten sides head-to-head on the AFL's grandest venue.

But Simpson also has an eye on next week given it will be just a five-day break between games.

After taking on Richmond, West Coast return to Perth for a Thursday night blockbuster against Sydney.

How veterans like Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis handle the shortened break remains to be seen, and Simpson said he will wait until next week before making a call on their availability.

"I don't see him (Mitchell) limping around two or three days after a game," Simpson said.

"What is he, 34? We'll just see how he pulls up."

Normally, five-day breaks draw the ire of coaches.

But Simpson could see the funny side of it.

"We did ask the AFL for less six-day breaks, and they gave us that - they just put a five-day break in," Simpson joked.

"We probably weren't as specific as we should have been."

West Coast won the free kick 23-8 in last week's win against St Kilda, causing an uproar over the perceived favouritism WA clubs receive when playing at home.

But Simpson said it happened everywhere around Australia.

"Umpires are doing the best they can," Simpson said.

"The environment we create over here - we love the passion of our supporters.

"I can't wait for the Perth Stadium - having an extra 25,000 do the same thing. No one might get a free kick if they come over here.

"But when you travel, it's the opposite."

Source: AAP