Coach Andrew McQualter says West Coast will need to get “adventurous” with how they back up No.1 ruckman Bailey Williams in the wake of untimely injuries to several key position players.

Young Eagle Jack Williams found himself playing as a tall defender, key forward and pinch-hitting in the ruck upon his return to the side for their 25-point defeat to Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

Williams had been training and played a WAFL game as a key back post-bye as McQualter looked to find reinforcements for his depleted tall defensive stocks in the wake of long-term injuries to Reuben Ginbey (quad) and Harry Edwards (concussion).

However, the 22-year-old’s role in the side upon his recall for the 15.9 (99) to 11.8 (74) defeat to the Crows was further complicated by the unavailability of Archer Reid (knee) and exciting first-round draftee Cooper Duff-Tytler (calf).

The pair would be the preferred options to back up 100-gamer Bailey Williams in the ruck as well as spend time forward; however, their absence forced Jack Williams to be shuffled around the ground.

Jack Williams started on the bench against Adelaide before finding himself down back in the first half as well as backing up in the ruck.

He then went forward after half-time, finishing the night with a goal from 11 disposals, five tackles, three clearances and four hit-outs, featuring in 21 ruck contests and attending the centre bounce on four occasions.

McQualter said there was potential for Jack Williams to continue to play a combined role as a defender and back-up ruckman in the back half of the season as they looked to fill the void left by injuries.

“We need to be a little bit adventurous in how we figure it out at the moment because obviously two of our guys that have played second ruck this year are not going to play for the next little bit. We’ll figure out what the best way is to use Jack,” he said.

“It’s a hard role, back and second ruck, but I thought he did a really good job. I thought we needed just a bit more height ahead of the ball (in the second half), a bit more contest ahead of the ball. So that was the reason for the shift.

“We’re lucky we’ve got players who are flexible; we can move some magnets there at half-time, and we did that. We did that.”

Meanwhile, out-of-favour and out-of-contract senior ruckman Matt Flynn continues to push for a recall after racking up a career-high 52 hit-outs, 16 to advantage, in the WAFL.

Flynn dominated former Eagle and Docker Luke Strnadica, finishing with 13 touches, all contested, as well as four clearances and 10 score involvements as he looks to earn a spot back in the side for the first time since the 128-point belting in round four at the hands of Sydney.

The 28-year-old is out of contract with his three-year deal he signed late in 2023 after he crossed from Greater Western Sydney expiring at the end of this season.