West Coast recruit Harry Schoenberg to make Eagles debut at former Adelaide Oval home

Former Adelaide midfielder Harry Schoenberg says “it’s a full circle moment” as he prepares to make his West Coast debut in front of family and friends in his home state against Port Adelaide on Sunday morning.

Schoenberg was named on an extended bench for the clash, alongside draftee Josh Lindsay, defender Sandy Brock, small forward Malakai Champion and half-back Ryan Maric.

West Coast will make at least two changes from the team that claimed a drought-breaking victory over North Melbourne on Sunday, with key defender Harry Edwards (concussion) and mature rookie Milan Murdock (hamstring) both injured.

Schoenberg — who played 62 games for the Crows from 2020 until 2025 — was on track to play for the Eagles’ in their season opener against Gold Coast before he was suspended for striking in their pre-season defeat to the Power.

The 25-year-old opened the chance for another player to grab his spot, and it was taken by Murdock, who kicked two goals from 22 disposals against the Suns only weeks after being signed.

However, Murdock’s injury has allowed Schoenberg to join former Brisbane midfielder Deven Robertson as axed footballers given a second chance by the Eagles.

“It’s obviously a great moment for me,” Schoenberg said.

“I came across here to West Coast from Adelaide Crows and I get my opportunity to play this weekend.

“I’m delighted, all the boys got around me. It was a special moment when ‘Mini’ (Andrew McQualter) announced it.

“It is a full circle moment. I get to go back home to Adelaide, obviously I played a fair few games there at Adelaide Oval as a Crow, so it will be good to get home and play in front of family and friends.”

The midfielder was picked up by the Eagles alongside Robertson and former Collingwood half-forward Finlay Macrae to fill the three extra rookie spots granted to the club as part of list concessions from the AFL.

Brock is almost certain to replace Edwards after he recovered from an ankle injury, which kept him out of the side for the first two games.

Lindsay is a chance to join fellow first-round draftees Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler back in the team, having been dropped after making his debut in the 59-point loss to Gold Coast.

Maric was also dropped after that game, while small forward Malakai Champion has pushed his case for a third AFL appearance after kicking six goals in two pre-season games for West Coast’s WAFL side.

Former Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie is set to make his debut for the Power after being named alongside Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines and East Fremantle product Mitch Zadow in their 26-man squad.

Brodie was traded to the South Australian club last year after 29 games in four seasons at the Dockers, having not been able to break into their powerhouse midfield for the past two years.

The Power will be without captain Connor Rozee (hamstring), midfielder Miles Bergman (ankle) and forward-turned-defender Todd Marshall (ankle) because of injury.

Port Adelaide v West Coast

Sunday, Adelaide Oval, 9.30am

POWER

B: J Burgoyne E Ratugolea J Mead

HB: L Jones A Aliir K Farrell

C: L Evans J Horne-Francis J Wehr

HF: J Lukosius M Georgiades J Berry

F: D Byrne-Jones J Whitlock J Richards

FOLL: J Sweet Z Butters W Drew

I/C: C Durdin O Wines J Watkins E Mackinlay M Zadow W Brodie D Visentini J Lai

IN: L Jones O Wines M Zadow W Brodie D Visentini J Lai

OUT: C Rozee (hamstring) M Bergman (ankle) T Marshall (ankle)

EAGLES

B: L Duggan T Young B Hough

HB: B Allan R Ginbey L Baker

C: W Duursma E Yeo T McCarthy

HF: T Kelly J Shanahan H Davis

F: C Duff-Tytler J Waterman J Cripps

FOLL: M Flynn H Reid J Graham

I/C: J Lindsay A Reid R Maric M Champion D Robertson S Brock J Newton H Schoenberg

IN: J Lindsay R Maric M Champion S Brock H Schoenberg

OUT: H Edwards (concussion) M Murdock (hamstring)