AFL Eagle Scott Lycett pleads for patience

Jul 10, 2017 - 4:57 AM West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett is adamant there's enough room in the team for him and Nathan Vardy, but says it's silly for people to think they'll dominate straight away.

Vardy and Lycett were comprehensively outpointed by Paddy Ryder in Sunday's 32-point AFL loss to Port Adelaide.

Lycett, playing his first AFL match of the season following knee and shoulder issues, tallied 12 disposals and 18 hit-outs in a quiet display.

With star big man Nic Naitanui almost certain to miss the entire season, the onus is on Lycett to return to top form quickly in order to spoon feed West Coast's misfiring midfield.

Eagles forward Josh Kennedy is set to return for Sunday's derby against Fremantle, meaning one of Vardy, Petrie or Lycett is likely to be dropped.

Vardy has been a solid contributor for West Coast since crossing from Geelong, leading the ruck in the absence of Naitanui and Lycett.

Petrie has also played a key role as a back-up ruckman and key forward.

Lycett played down talk there might not be room for both him and Vardy in the ruck, saying they could thrive together if given a chance to develop their chemistry.

"Last year Nic and I both played. So there's definitely room for both of us," Lycett said.

"It's a matter of building that chemistry and working out how each other plays.

"It was only our first game together. So for us to go out there and dominate straight away against a quality ruckman in Ryder, it would be silly to think.

"We'll build on it and we'll be better for it."

Lycett, who says he'll need three or four games to get back up to top speed, also wants to shed the 'injury-prone' tag he's been slapped with over the past year.

"I've had two surgeries in almost seven years. I think most players average around 10 after seven years," Lycett said.

"So to be called injury prone is a bit frustrating.

"Unfortunately coming back from the knee, I popped my shoulder out straight away. But I worked my butt off to get back and I'm really happy and grateful to get back into the team.

"I wasn't quite up to it yesterday. But I can still build on it. I can still take my game to another level."

West Coast (8-7) are precariously placed in ninth spot after dropping three of their past four games at home.

And they face a danger game on Sunday against a Dockers outfit brimming with speed and youthful exuberance.

Source: AAP