West Coast are set to “throw caution to the wind” in their attempt to get Josh Kennedy up and firing in time for the AFL finals.
Kennedy has missed the past five games because of a stress fracture in his right shin and needs to prove his fitness before next week’s qualifying final against Collingwood.
The fact the match will be played on a Saturday instead of the Thursday gives Kennedy an extra few days.
But coach Adam Simpson says the time has come to ramp up the 31-year-old’s training loads rather than play it safe.
“I think we’ve just got to get him out there and throw caution to the wind,” Simpson said.
“He can’t not do anything and just play. It’s been too long. So he’s really got to push himself.
“He knows what he has to do.”
Simpson said it was worth the risk playing him against Collingwood despite a lack of football under his belt.