West Coast are now two games and percentage adrift of the fourth spot after suffering a shock 16-point loss to Essendon in Perth.
West Coast’s top-four hopes are hanging in the balance after Tim Kelly and Oscar Allen became the latest stars to join the club’s injury list.
Kelly damaged the medial ligament in his right knee during Saturday night’s shock 16-point loss to Essendon in Perth, while Allen suffered a concussion after falling on his head and neck.
Allen will miss next week’s clash with Carlton, while Kelly will be sidelined for at least several weeks even if the injury is on the minor end.
If scans reveal significant damage, he could miss six or more weeks.
Kelly has been West Coast’s best midfielder this year, and his absence leaves a massive void.
All Australian defender Jeremy McGovern will miss another three weeks with a knee injury, while Luke Shuey (hamstring surgery) is still at least a month away from returning to AFL ranks.
Liam Duggan will miss another two weeks with a knee injury.
West Coast’s first home loss of the year has left them clinging to a spot in the eight with a 6-5 record.
They are now two wins and significant percentage adrift of fourth spot, and face a major battle to earn a double finals chance this year.
One dose of good news for West Coast was the successful return of Elliot Yeo, who was playing his first AFL match in nine months.
Yeo, who is on the comeback trail from osteitis pubis, tallied 14 disposals and five clearances against the Bombers off limited game time.
“He was a bit rusty early and then worked his way into it,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
“He’ll build his minutes, but we’ve got to manage him for the rest of the year.”
Essendon’s win came courtesy of huge midfield efforts from Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett and a three-goal second half from forward Jake Stringer.
The Bombers’ third win on the trot has improved their record to 5-6, with a Dreamtime clash against Richmond to come.
That match may end up being in Perth due to the COVID-19 breakout in Victoria, and Bombers coach Ben Rutten said his side would embrace the fixture switch if it happens.
“It’s a fantastic stadium to play footy at, there’s nothing to fear coming here,” Rutten said.
“It’s a great environment and a great energy.”
Bombers’ big man Peter Wright, who was a late withdrawal against the Eagles because of a calf injury, is unlikely to be fit to play against Richmond.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Didn’t Bradshaw get delisted?
Footyguy
Guest
Fair point Understandable But questions need to be asked Why are there so many injuries?
Footyguy
Guest
I'm a huge brander fan but in the last few weeks has gone backwards, I still have some faith in him but didn't stand up when he needed to
Footyguy
Guest
Fair point blitz
Seymorebutts
Guest
Exactly.. He acts like its divine intervention when we lose.. ''we're learning each week '' How many times have we heard that one. .. ?? ''we're trying to get better'' thats another one of his favorites... Eight years and hes still ''learning'' and ''trying''....... crikey most jobs you get 3 months probation and thats it!!
Seymorebutts
Guest
''armchair experts at best'' Ironic given thats all you are doing... tell us all what level of footy you played.. 150 games in the AFL/ WAFL / VLF was it??
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Thatta boy.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Yet you always do!
Gerry
Roar Rookie
Despite everything we are still a top half team. We have some wonderful players and injury has been cruel this year. Ok so Simmo a nice guy but he is definitely not getting best out of the lads. We need mean hungry ball tackling bulls everywhere who provide relentless pressure as well as the silky skills for all 4 quarters and consistency. Until then forget about flag or even finals.
Nico
Roar Rookie
And yet... we work our way into games only to let the lead slip. Over ... and over... and over again. That’s the most baffling thing. Even the wins against Suns and Crows were lucky. We’re not d
Nico
Roar Rookie
Simpson’s fave is “..they took their chances, we didn’t”.
Blitz
Guest
Footyguy and Seymourbutts don’t know much about football. Armchair experts at best. Waterman has been outstanding since his debut. He’s been moved around due to injuries this year eg he’s played in defense and he’s a natural forward. Brander - outstanding talent that has been cruelled by injuries and training for 3 different position ie forward, defense, wing. He’s just beginning to find his feet. O’Neill was given games this year and for the most part he didn’t deliver. Witherden is injured. Langdon didn’t grab his opportunities. I could go on, but I won’t.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Simpson is the king of clichés. He always talks about ''we're learning blah blah blah'' Learning?? He's been at the club 8 years and the side has won a flag, what exactly are they learning? They are supposed to be premiership contenders!! Lost to GWS, Saint Kilda and now Essendon?? On top of the 100 point embarrassment at Geelong?? Someone on the board needs to give him a tap on the shoulder and tell him if he doesnt turn things around pretty soon he should start thinking about heading back to Victoria. The last three years we have gone nowhere.. sold the farm to recruited Kelly who was supposed to win us a flag, and what happened?? Same mediocre results as we were getting in 2016 and 2017. Something not right at the club, given the talent they have, and the ordinary results.. If you remove the 2018 result, Simpsons record isnt anything to crow about... and the reason I say that is plenty of people think we won the flag on the back of Sam Mitchel's input into the side. Agree on Pettrucelle, the kid has wheels, get him into the midfield or play him as a rebounding defender.. he is wasted in the forward line as we have plenty of other guys who can do what he is doing there. And Brayshaw has been playing well in the WAFL, he still hasnt played a game? Given the injuries we have its inconceivable that he hasnt played a game. Agree on Hutchings as well, hes just clogging up the list now. But Simpson has a habit of sticking with the old guys for too long, he played Sam Butler long after his use by date had arrived as well. And playing guys who are not match fit... ?? First it was Naitanui, and now Yeo? You cant afford to carry guys at this level, if your not fit, you dont play , simple.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Probably.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Will see if I can get some tickets - been announced it's in Perth.
Holdingtheball
Roar Rookie
I say this. Because I've notice that what WC deliver in the last Q. One week is what they deliver for the game the next. Has been so this year, except once.
Holdingtheball
Roar Rookie
I'm with you Footguy. The bottom 6 are always copping the blame. In and out never a chance to establish. No plan B gives no other options. They probably need to rest all the injured players they want next year. Play all the others and see what they've really got. If they persist with system they will only limp into the finals. If they should get there. But looks like a Carlton win next week.
Footyguy
Guest
This only they're only kids mentality when they've been in the afl system lame and stupid Nicholas Cox and Archie Perkins absolutely ripped us apart and they are actually only kids 1st to 3rd year players can have excuses They've been less than six months at the bombers and having more of an impact than blokes that have been 3 or 4, 5 years at the eagles Come off it Ainsworth's meant to be our best young midfielder, 12 games in 4 seasons Jake Waterman while he was great last night needs to be better considering how long he's been with the club for Petruculle has shown no signs of any player growth in the last two years None. Same one dimensional kick a couple of goals every couple of games, good running ability offers nothing else. Simpson needs to be bold Play Petruccule down back as a midfielder, actually give him a chance to develop more to offer than a good goalsneak and runner. We need to expirement with positions more Trial Bailey Williams as a Backman with McGovern out And Harry Edwards as second ruck to Naitanui Liam Ryan needs to stop playing so self indulgent There's no I in team, look at Kysaisah Pickett and Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti They are playing better than Ryan because they have more strings to their bow Stop trying to take massive specckies every time you get and work for the team Look In Ryans Defense Rioli added depth and balance because he offered pressure and tackling But Ryan is coming in underdone so you have to give him some leeway No More coaching cliches from Simpson no more 'sore boys' , 'wounded soldiers' that we've heard ad nauseum in the last year
Blitz
Guest
West Coasts list of missing or underdone players includes 2 x captains, a vice-captain, Norm Smith medalist, 10 x AA guernseys, and 4 B&F’s from the last 5 years. 12 of WC’s best 22 is missing or underdone, including their 3 best midfielders. I can’t think of many teams that would be in the 8 vying for a finals berth with that much quality missing or underdone! They are doing well to be hanging on.
Footyguy
Guest
I'm really worried about the direction the eagles are going in Simpson needs some different assistant coaches to give more clarity, balance and perspective, maybe someone from victorian club Simpson is too comfortable with the boys and the lads, he loves the club too much and they love him too much Our younger players simply aren't up to the standard The teams will be IN: Ainsworth Witherden Langdon O'Neill OUT: Petruculle Ah Chee Allen Brander They will probably play Hutchings instead of ainsworth Don't be tempted by Hutchings eagles, he is not the future of the club and will be delisted at the end of the year, and was miraculously lucky to be kept on last year This age old excuse they're only kids is lame and overrated Waterman is 23 years old and been the afl system for almost 5 years now Rotham is 23 years old and also been the afl system for almost 5 years now as well