EXCITING West Coast forward Liam Ryan is facing "an extended period off football" after hearing a crack when he soccered the go-ahead goal against Geelong on Sunday.
Ryan got a boot to the ball in the goalsquare in the dying stages as the Eagles surged past the undermanned Cats to register their second straight win and first victory at Optus Stadium.
But the ex-Subiaco high-flyer's heroics came at a cost, with Ryan's impressive three-game start to his career set to be stalled by a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"It's not looking great, I think he'll probably have an extended period off football, which is really unfortunate because he was producing some really good highlight reels for us and kicking some goals," Eagles coach Adam Simpson told Channel Seven.
"Unfortunately he won't be available for some time."
Simpson wasn't sure if the crack Ryan heard was ligament or bone damage, with the Eagles still reviewing the results of the 21-year-old's scans on Monday.
"It was the first I've heard of it. Obviously when you hear something like that it's not going to be too good when you look at the scans," Simpson said.
Ryan has slotted in seamlessly at West Coast, booting seven goals in his first three games and adding plenty of spark to a new-look attack.
The blow of losing Ryan doesn't seem as though it will be tempered by the return of spearhead Josh Kennedy for Saturday night's clash with Gold Coast.
The dual Coleman medallist rated himself better than a 60 per cent chance to face the Suns however the Eagles are being cautious not to bring Kennedy back too early from ankle and knee surgery.
"He's in a training phase now. He's not too far away. If it's not this week, it's next week," Simpson said.
Meanwhile, Simpson said the Eagles didn't have major issues with the LED signage at Optus Stadium after Cats Mark Blicavs and Zach Tuohy suffered cuts to their hands after colliding with the fence on Sunday.
"That fencing LED stuff is on most ovals. Maybe they're a bit higher at Optus Stadium, but no major issues," Simpson said.
"It's unfortunate it happened but it's around most grounds."
The AFL has declared the stadium meets health and safety regulations.