Young Eagle Campbell Chesser is still under an injury cloud almost a year on from a severe ankle injury that cruelled his 2022 season.
The club’s prized first round pick from 2021, Chesser looked assured of a Round 1 berth last year before injuring himself during a practice match.
But despite the Eagles resuming pre-season training, Chesser is yet to compete in high-intensity drills, according to The West Australian.
West Coast told the newspaper Chesser is still being “managed”, with the 19-year-old often just running laps at training.
With nine weeks until the start of the AFL season, the midfielder looks in a race against time to be fit for the start of the season.
Before the 2022 draft, Chesser (taken with pick 14) was the highest draft pick the club had made since 2017.
However, comments from coach Adam Simpson to SEN WA in early December could suggest the Eagles aren’t overly concerned about Chesser’s lack of training.
“Oscar Allen, Tom Cole, Dom Sheed, Liam Duggan, Campbell Chesser, all these guys have had a really interrupted 12 months with significant injuries,” Simpson said at the time.
“You won’t see them at every session, it’s about managing them so come February they’re up and about.”
Other notable players to miss West Coast’s main session were Tom Barrass, wearing a fresh cast on his right wrist, while Jake Waterman had “significant” strapping on his right knee, according to The West Australian.
West Coast opens its season against North Melbourne on Saturday, March 18.