West Coast midfielder Sam Mitchell will get a taste of his coaching future this weekend after being rested for Sunday's AFL clash with Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson threw up a selection surprise on Friday when he revealed Mitchell wouldn't play against the Mapgies because of soreness.
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Instead, the Brownlow medallist will sit up in the coaches' box, where he'll have input into the team's stoppage and centre-bounce tactics.
However, as the travelling emergency, Mitchell will be required to play if one of his teammates gets struck down by injury or illness before the match.
![Sam Mitchell will coach, and not play, on Sunday.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170722194332im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/7/s/v/g/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gxg1j3.png/1500618889550.jpg)
Mitchell arrived at West Coast at the end of last year with a two-pronged mission - to add one or two more chapters to his glittering playing career, before joining the club's coaching ranks.
It appears increasingly likely the former Hawthorn skipper will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
West Coast (9-7) need to beat Collingwood if they are to keep their top-four hopes alive.
A loss could make it tough for the eighth-placed Eagles to even make the finals.
But despite the high-stakes nature of Sunday's match, Simpson said it was the right decision to rest Mitchell.
"He's very important for us. But we also think it's time for a rest," Simpson said.
"He's 35 in a month or two and he's just showing a couple of signs of soreness.
"We'll manage him in the right way and give opportunity to others.
"I don't think (the travel) has been an issue. I think it's just the wear and tear of his age bracket probably grabs him every now and then."
Simpson confirmed 20-year-old defender Tom Cole would play, while Elliot Yeo (knee) would also return if he pulled up well on Saturday.
The Magpies will be without skipper Scott Pendlebury after the star midfielder had undergone surgery on a broken finger.
Simpson has made a concerted effort in recent months to introduce more youth into the side.
But he said the introduction of youth shouldn't be interpreted as him giving up on this year's flag hopes.
The Eagles have received good news on Scott Lycett's troublesome left shoulder.
It was feared Lycett would need to undergo a second round of surgery after pulling up sore a fortnight ago from his return AFL match.
But the tendon injury isn't as bad as first thought, and Lycett could be back in action next week.
Nic Naitanui's progression back to full fitness continues to gain pace, with the star ruckman enjoying a strong training campaign in the US.
Simpson described Naitanui's progression from last year's knee reconstruction as positive, but it still seemed highly unlikely the All-Australian would play this year.