West Coast’s task of snapping their slump has been made tougher, with important defender Tom Barrass a late out against Richmond.

Barrass had been in line to stand one of the Tigers’ star spearheads in Tom Lynch or Jack Riewoldt, but will instead miss his third game of the season due to a hamstring complaint.

Hugh Dixon earns a recall after missing last week’s loss to Port Adelaide with a calf injury.

Star wingman Andrew Gaff will be West Coast’s medical sub after coach Adam Simpson on Thursday conceded he didn’t think he was “ready for a full game”.

It comes after COVID forced Eagles assistants Jarrad Schofield and Daniel Pratt out of game day, with development coaches Kyal Horsley and Daniel Pratt stepping up.

Richmond go in as named, with Jack Ross the medical sub.