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Eagles star Darling cleared for AFL return

3 minute read

Jack Darling has recovered from a fractured cheekbone and will play on Friday in West Coast's final intra-club match before round one of the AFL season.

JACK DARLING of the Eagles kicks on goal during the AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
JACK DARLING of the Eagles kicks on goal during the AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images

All-Australian forward Jack Darling will return to action in West Coast's intra-club match this Friday in a major boost ahead of the AFL season proper.

The 27-year-old suffered a small cheekbone fracture last month and missed the Eagles' defeats to Essendon and Fremantle during the pre-season series.

But new West Coast captain Luke Shuey confirmed his 2018 premiership teammate would play in the club's final pre-season hit-out.

If he gets through unscathed, Darling is a certainty to line up in the season opener against Melbourne at Optus Stadium on March 22.

"Jack's good, he'll be right for round one," Shuey told AAP.

"We've got a pretty big hit-out this Friday, so he'll have a run around in a little intra-club (match) for us.

"I think the head's OK, so he'll be ready to go."

Darling earned his first All-Australian jumper last year after kicking a career-best 59 goals for the season.

An elite contested mark, he has since been labelled a "beast" by teammate Josh Kennedy and shapes as a key cog in West Coast's 2020 premiership ambitions.

Friday's intra-club match is the last chance for several fringe Eagles to push their claims for berths in what could be a full-strength team for round one.

Ruck bolter Bailey Williams will play after managing hamstring tightness and could be picked to partner first-choice big man Nic Naitanui.

Oscar Allen (ankle) is yet to play during the pre-season but remains in contention for round one selection.

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