The West Coast Eagles face a big selection decision ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Crows in the wake of a season-ending injury to lead ruckman Nic Naitanui.

Journeyman Jonathan Giles and 23-year-old Fraser McInnes loom as likely candidates to replace Naitanui after scans confirmed the star ruckman had ruptured his ACL in last Friday night’s win over Hawthorn.

Giles, who has played only two AFL games since being traded to the Eagles prior to the start of the season boasts strong AFL experience, whilst McIness has played just nine matches since being drafted with pick No.28 back in 2011.

It’s the second time this season the Eagles have been forced to adjust to life without Naitanui, after a foot injury sidelined the 26-year-old for six games earlier in the season.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson said he was confident his side could adapt once again without their lead ruckman.

“With Nic not in the side, obviously he’s one of our best players, you saw the influence he’s had in the last few weeks but we need to mature to a point where we don’t have to rely on just one player to get it done,” Simpson said.

But the Eagles may look to shake up their backline for this week’s clash at Adelaide Oval instead of simply bringing in a second ruckman to support Scott Lycett.

Defenders Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown look the most likely defenders to come in if West Coast makes the decision to rotate the ruck role.

Mackenzie in particular was solid in the WAFL over the weekend, racking up 15 possessions in East Perth’s four-point loss to South Fremantle.

“We tried a few different things with both personnel and system without Nic, and we went from being mid-range to second-best in the comp for scores from stoppages differentials, both ways,” Simpson said.

“What it was doing was it was turning the game into a real grind, and we had more stoppages than anyone in the competition. On the back of that, we probably got exposed in some other areas.”

Second-year defender Tom Barrass is also a strong chance to return for the Eagles after missing Friday night’s clash against Hawthorn with a leg injury.

The 21-year-old, who was drafted at pick No.43 in 2013, has played eight games this season and looms as a welcome inclusion as the Eagles look to negate the free-scoring Crows, who boast the most potent attack in the AFL.