ALL HOPE is not lost as far as West Coast's defensive options are concerned, coach Adam Simpson says.
The Eagles suffered another major injury blow on Saturday night with key defender Mitch Brown rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the second time in his career.
Brown will miss the rest of the season and it comes on the back of the Eagles' number one key defender and reigning best and fairest Eric Mackenzie also requiring a knee reconstruction less than a month ago.
Scans confirm Brown's season is over
But Simpson told 6PR on Monday night that hope is not lost as he felt his defenders held up well against the Western Bulldogs.
"There's no doubt we've been challenged in that area, but hope is not lost," Simpson said.
"To be honest I thought our backs held up pretty well over the weekend."
Simpson was more concerned with his midfielders allowing the Western Bulldogs to pile up 58 inside-50s to 41.
"There was probably a little bit too much supply for our liking," Simpson said. "I thought our midfield didn't turn up on the weekend."
Simpson was upbeat about the options he had at his disposal in defence despite the injury blows.
"It's round one. We've got an opportunity to develop some players in positions they perhaps haven't trained in over the pre-season, but I still think we've got the nucleus there to be really competitive down back," Simpson said.
"For instance Elliot Yeo has played back for a couple of weeks and I just like the way he goes about it and how he competes.
"Will Schofield will more than likely come back this week. We've got (Jeremy) McGovern, who I think is really starting to blossom into a really solid, consistent player (and) Shannon Hurn can play tall.
“So we'll keep looking at opportunities to develop but also back in the guys we've got down there at the moment."
Schofield and Xavier Ellis are likely inclusions to face Carlton on Friday night at Domain Stadium.
The issue with Shannon Hurn playing a lock-down defensive post is the Eagles lose arguably their best attacking weapon.
Hurn had 16 disposals in the first half against the Bulldogs and his elite kicking sliced the opposition open at times. Liam Picken played on Hurn as a defensive forward in the second half and the Eagles' skipper had just six touches after half-time.
Beyond the current back six, which already includes 14-gamer McGovern, a debutant in Jackson Nelson, and two utilities in Yeo and Matt Rosa, the Eagles have very little stocks in reserve.
Jamie Bennell played well in the WAFL on the weekend and may come into calculations if Hurn's role is redefined.
Brant Colledge (192cm, 91kg) and Simon Tunbridge (191cm, 93kg) are strong midfielders who can also play forward, but both could be turned into makeshift defenders if need be.
Tom Barrass (194cm, 88kg), Dylan Main (189cm, 82cm) and rookie Rowen Powell (193cm, 88kg) were all drafted in 2013 and all can play defensive roles, but the trio are currently playing WAFL reserves for East Perth and none are close to playing AFL football at the moment.
Barrass and Powell have had significant injury issues since they were drafted. Rookie Corey Adamson, a former baseballer, is also being developed as a defender, but he too is playing WAFL reserves.
Irish rookie Paddy Brophy has impressed with his competitiveness throughout the pre-season and has started well for East Perth. It would be a big gamble to elevate him, but at 190cm and 87kg he can fight out of his weight division and has exceptional pace.
