Elijah Hewett is the latest casualty ahead of West Coast’s season opener, with the luckless midfielder to miss the trip east with a quad injury.

Eagles coach Andrew McQualter on Thursday confirmed Hewett would be held out with the latest injury, with the Eagles putting saying he is expected to be sidelined for one to two weeks.

The 21-year-old battled a calf niggle to start the year and was sidelined for the pre-season hit-out against Port Adelaide earlier this month, but wasn’t named on the club’s injury list this week.

“Elijah won’t train today, so he won’t play this weekend,” McQualter said ahead of the season opener against Gold Coast.

“He’s doing OK, he’s just missed a little bit of time now so he’s going to have to build himself up.

“We’re just working through the exact details of it. There might be something that has just popped up but it won’t a long term thing for Elijah.”

Hewett played 20 games last year after missing all of 2024 with a serious foot injury.

His absence for the clash against the Suns adds to a growing list of unavailable first-choice Eagles players.

Co-captain Liam Baker is suspended, boom recruit Brandon Starcevich will miss with a calf issue, and key defender Harry Edwards has been ruled out due to concussion.

Hewett’s fellow 2022 first-round draftee Reuben Ginbey is a lock to play despite battling a toe injury in recent weeks.

There were widespread reports on Wednesday that the defender had avoided surgery but would likely have to manage it through the year.

“Reubs is good to go. Like most players there’s always something going on from a physical point of view but he’s a tough a soldier as we’ve got,” McQualter said.

“He has been in main training now for two sessions, he’ll train today and be right to go.

“I’m not exactly sure of the detail around that, but often there is things that people have to carry throughout a whole season, but our medical team is very professional. They’re not going to put anyone at risk so if he’s right to play, he is good.”

Star recruit Starcevich is set to miss the first three games at least with his latest injury setback, having battled two calf injuries and a minor ACL strain in his first pre-season at the Eagles.

McQualter said the Eagles would take the long-term view around Starcevich’s recruitment despite the challenging start to his time at the Eagles.

“It’s a little bit frustrating for him. Any time you start at a new football club, all you want to be able to do is be able to play football, and he’s missed that last little block now,” he said.

“He’s been doing this for a long time and he’s a pro. And we’ve got him for a long period of time, so yes, he’ll miss the start of the year, but we’re excited have him for a long time after that.”