Critically injured East Perth footballer Beau Chatley has been named in the Royals reserves grand final side as a "sign of respect" according to the club.
Chatley, 21, is recovering in hospital following surgery on a serious neck and spinal injury received after he was slung to the ground by West Perth player Mitchell Antonio in a reserves game in early July.
East Perth football manager Mark Winnett said the club felt it was important to name Chatley as part of the grand final list to take on Claremont on Sunday.
"It's was pretty well a sign of respect and inclusion, to show him we have not forgotten about him," he told WAtoday.
"He was an integral part of this team and would've been out there this weekend.
"The players have responded very positively. He is one of our team."
Mr Winnett said Chatley was "making steady progress".
"He's got a long way to go, but he's slowly improving," he said.
"There are small positive signs each week and he's working his butt off so he can walk out of there."
Unlike Peel, who played 17 Fremantle Dockers in their thrashing of South Fremantle last week in the preliminary final, the Royals have decided to let only two Eagles-listed players run out in the Royals reserve side despite six qualifying.
Mr Chatley father Brett told WAtoday last month his son faced the prospect of another three to four months in hospital.
He said the daily rehab can be exhausting, though.
"He spends about two hours a day in physio and he gets pretty tired after that," he said.
"He's gone from lifting 50kg to barely able to lift two.
"He has good and bad days, but he's staying positive."
Mr Chatley said the family was shattered when doctors first told him his son may not walk again.
"It was just disbelief," he said.
"The doctors said there was so much uncertainty with spinal injuries because every spinal injury was so different."
He said the family had been overwhelmed by the support for Beau.
"Not just the whole footy community but the whole community has been right behind him," he said.
"It's been unbelievable."
A Beau Chatley Recovery Fund has raised close to $38,000.
