WEST Coast defender Jeremy McGovern is in doubt to face Richmond next Friday night at the MCG after suffering a corked thigh in the Eagles' 50-point win over Essendon.
McGovern was subbed out of the game at three-quarter time and had ice applied to the injury immediately. He suffered the cork in the opening term and was hobbling throughout the match.
Five talking points: West Coast v Essendon
The Eagles face a second consecutive six-day break after a trip to Hobart last Sunday.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson admitted post-match that McGovern would be touch and go to be fit for the Tigers.
"I don't know if he's going to come up this week," Simpson said.
Click here to watch Adam Simpson's full media conference
"It's a double corkie. But I think he may be a chance and hopefully the last quarter helped him, subbing him out."
The Eagles are thin for key defenders following the season-ending knee injuries to Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown at the start of the season.
Simpson said he might have to turn to untried 19-year-old Tom Barrass should McGovern fail to come up.
"We'll have to look at it, for sure," Simpson said. "He's our next in line."
Sharrod Wellingham also copped a knock to the shin early in the win over the Bombers but played the game out without issue.
Simpson said the consecutive six-day breaks were not ideal. The Eagles were forced to rest several players from the WAFL this weekend, including Scott Lycett, Fraser McInnes and Jackson Nelson, to ensure they have reserves fit and available next week.
East Perth play on Sunday in the WAFL meaning that Eagles squad members playing in that game would only get a five-day break.
"(I'm) not complaining but it's just reality,” Simpson said.
“We've got two six-day breaks in a row going interstate against a side which has had 15 days off. So we had to plan this and we've got a squad available next week.”
Simpson was pleased with the return of Jack Darling. The key forward kicked two goals in his first game since round 23 last season after suffering a stress fracture in his foot.
"It was good to get him through the game," Simpson said.
"He provided some really good goals for us when we needed it. He was never going to be at his absolute best, but he got through with no pain and he looks physically capable of playing a full game."
Darling, Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras bagged nine goals between them however Simpson was more elated with his defence rather than the potency of his forward line.
"It's our defence that is really pleasing me at the moment," Simpson said.
"We've kept a team under 50 points. We're (fourth) in the comp for scores against. Our attack is built off the back of that and I'm sure every coach will say the same thing.
"The potency of our forward line … we were potent last year and we didn't manage to get the job done.
"So I am more pleased with what we are doing off the ball at the moment."
