'It's a risk': Coach defends epic AFL finals gamble

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says it's worth the risk bringing back a glut of underdone premiership stars for Saturday night's elimination final against Collingwood.

Simpson confirmed that captain Luke Shuey, Jack Redden, Jeremy McGovern, and Jamie Cripps would all return for the must-win clash at Optus Stadium.

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Cripps, who left the club's hub earlier this season to be present for the birth of his first child, hasn't played since August 27.

Shuey hasn't played since straining both of his hamstrings on September 1.

Redden hasn't featured since fracturing his thumb on September 6.

And McGovern has been grounded since tearing his hamstring on September 10.

All four players are crucial cogs and proven performers in West Coast's set-up, and Simpson isn't worried about their recent lack of match practice.

"Not once for a second did I think that maybe we shouldn't play Luke Shuey because he might be underdone, or Jack Redden, or Jamie Cripps, or Jeremy McGovern," Simpson said.

"Most of these guys have missed one or two weeks. Crippa has missed the most, and it's because he had a child.

"So it's not like he's been in rehab. He's been ready to go. He's been jumping out of his skin to play.

"We got to play a bit of a scratch match last Friday, everyone looked like they were normal. But there are no guarantees, it becomes a risk, but it's a risk we're more than willing to take."

Tagger Mark Hutchings has recovered from his hamstring injury but is set to be overlooked for selection.

Defender Lewis Jetta also faces a fight to earn a recall despite recovering from his calf strain.

Kennedy expected to play after ankle injury

Simpson said star spearhead Josh Kennedy, who rolled his ankle in the final-round win over North Melbourne, would play barring any late setbacks.

"It was a pretty bad roll, but nothing long term and we've just given him every chance to recover," Simpson said.

"JK has got through these type of things before really easily and we're anticipating it's going to happen (again)."

Collingwood wingman Chris Mayne has recovered from his fractured cheekbone but faces a nervous wait to see if he earns a recall.

West Coast thumped Collingwood by 66 points earlier this year, and they boast a perfect 7-0 record in Perth this season.

But Simpson was dismissive of his team's favouritism tag.

"Favouritism in finals - it's not really real I don't reckon," he said.

"It's more about two good sides going against each other. There's plenty of finals experience, and I think it's going to be on all game."

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