West Coast Eagles training notes: Reuben Ginbey injury scare, Harley Reid on light duties, positional hints

West Coast’s pre-season was in full swing at Mineral Resources Park on Friday, as an Eagles young gun had an injury scare and another was on light duties. REUB SHOCK There was an injury scare at West Coast training on Friday, with young utility Reuben Ginbey limping from the track clutching his left ankle. The 20-year-old appeared to get his left leg caught in a bruising tackle and immediately hopped away in discomfort, heading straight for the bench with medical staff in tow. After receiving attention to his ankle, Ginbey got it strapped up and tested it out on the sidelines a short time later. He returned to take part in most of the drills and did not appear to be burdened by his ankle, running and kicking comfortably. OS-CAR INTO GEAR After a light session earlier in the week, Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen ramped up his training load on Friday. The 25-year-old moved well through sprint, running and skills drills and was one of the last players on the track as he practised his goal-kicking. Allen managed just 11 games last season as he battled a frustrating knee injury. IS THAT A HINT? It’s only November but West Coast might have given some hints as to where the club plans to utilise their new recruits in one of their drills. Focusing on coast-to-coast ball movement, the team matched up by lines - back line, midfield, forward line - with defenders playing on defenders, midfielders playing on midfielders and forwards playing on forward. In no surprise, Matt Owies looks set for a role in attack and Jack Graham in the middle, while star recruit Liam Baker spent the bulk of his time in what appeared to be a half-back role. Draftee Jobe Shanahan, who played both ends as a key position player this year, was thrown forward as a tall target. PARK THE HARLEY It was a very light session for former No.1 pick Harley Reid, who donned trainers in his short appearance on Friday. Reid, 19, has had an interrupted pre-season so far with an unfortunate head knock sidelining him under the AFL’s concussion protocols. While he was back in the thick of it earlier this week, Reid did not join the bulk of his teammates for the heat-soaked session, returning to the sheds shortly after it started.