Star West Coast forward Jack Darling has made his long-awaited return to the AFL club, but he will have to "recondition his body" before being given the green light to play again.
Darling returned to the Eagles' headquarters on Friday and joined his teammates at training after finally satisfying the AFL's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The 29-year-old had been banished since missing the AFL's first-dose deadline on January 21, and there were fears his career could be over.
But the club confirmed on Friday that Darling has now ticked off the AFL requirements to play and train.
"He will now undergo the requisite medical assessment and continue to build his football fitness base as he strives to resume his AFL career as soon as possible," West Coast said in a statement.
"Darling has been training away from the club for a number of weeks and will need to re-condition his body for match play as he strives to build on his 236-game, 450-goal career."
But it wasn't all good news for the Eagles, with star midfielder Tim Kelly forced into seven days of isolation after some of his family members tested positive.
If Kelly himself tests positive in the coming days, he could miss the round one clash with Gold Coast on March 20.
Darling's return is a massive boost to a West Coast squad that has been riddled by injuries.
Elliot Yeo, Tom Cole, Liam Duggan, Dom Sheed, Oscar Allen, and Jamie Cripps will all miss the start of the season, while Brad Sheppard (concussion) was forced into early retirement.
Defender Alex Witherden is suspended for round one, and Luke Shuey (hamstring) faces a race against time to be fit.
Even if Darling isn't deemed match fit to take on the Suns, his availability in the early rounds of the season will be a big plus.
Darling booted 42.19 last year, and he looms as a crucial cog in attack alongside Josh Kennedy and Allen.
"(West Coast) kicked six and 10 goals in the previous two (pre-season) games, they needed someone down there to threaten," former North Melbourne star David King told SEN.
"Liam Ryan, Tim Kelly, Jamaine Jones, Willie Rioli, Jack Petruccelle - they were the goalkickers last week.
"Sometimes you just need a centre half-forward/full-forward type player to just be stamping three or four every second week, and that's Jack.
"It's huge news for (coach) Adam Simpson, they just needed some positive news."
The recent uncertainty surrounding Darling led West Coast to sign former Docker Hugh Dixon to a rookie contract.
With Cole and first-round draftee Campbell Chesser placed on the inactive list due to long-term injuries, the Eagles were also able to sign ruckman Luke Strnadica, former Richmond wingman Patrick Naish, and midfielder Tom Joyce on rookie deals.
