WITH ITS finals hopes basically up in smoke, West Coast was dealt another cruel blow on Monday when vice-captain Beau Waters was ruled out for the rest of the season.
Waters had been sidelined for the past two weeks due to a knee issue.
But it's a dodgy shoulder that will bring a premature end to his season, with the 2012 All-Australian set to have surgery later this week.
The bad news didn't stop there.
Star midfielder Luke Shuey was ruled out for three games after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury, while back-up ruckman Callum Sinclair will miss the remainder of the year after undergoing knee surgery.
On a brighter note, veteran onballer Daniel Kerr is free to play in Sunday's clash with the Bulldogs after his WAFL report for a high bump was withdrawn.
Fellow midfielder Scott Selwood is also in line to return after making a quicker than expected return from a fractured thumb.
West Coast sits two wins adrift of eighth spot, and is almost certain to miss the finals for the first time since its wooden spoon campaign in 2010.
Much was expected of the Eagles this year, but their 2013 campaign was stuttery from the outset as injuries to key players constantly robbed them of any continuity.
Waters, Sinclair, and Mark Nicoski are already cooked for the season, but more could follow them in the coming weeks, especially if the finals equation becomes mathematically impossible.
After Sunday's 34-point loss to the Sydney Swans, coach John Worsfold hinted that ruckman Nic Naitanui would need to be closely monitored over the coming weeks to determine if he, too, needed an early end to the year.
Naitanui, who underwent off-season groin surgery, has been battling a sore back in recent weeks, the ailment limiting his influence in games.
The 23-year-old tallied 12 possessions, 26 hit-outs and a goal against the Swans, but still appeared restricted at times.
"There's no secret that we're monitoring Nic to see how he's travelling," Worsfold said.
"We'll keep an eye on how he's pulled up from (Sunday) and things like that and there's a few other players in similar boats."
Wingman Matt Rosa (back) will be further assessed this week after pulling out of the match against the Swans, but defender Jacob Brennan (calf) will miss up to three weeks.
Long-kicking backman Shannon Hurn is unlikely to play again this year due to an ankle injury.
Worsfold is out of contract at season's end, and yet to declare publicly whether he wants to coach again next year.
Eagles chairman Alan Cransberg has already stated Worsfold will be handed a new contract if he wants one - irrespective of whether the club reaches the finals.
West Coast started the year as second favourites for the flag behind Hawthorn, and the club is confident its premiership window remains open despite a misfiring 2013 campaign.
