WEST Coast is sweating on the fitness of important defensive duo Shannon Hurn and Jeremy McGovern ahead of next Saturday's clash with North Melbourne at Optus Stadium.

Hurn succumbed to a calf issue at training, the day before the Eagles defeated Melbourne on Sunday afternoon at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs.

The 31-year-old is hardly a certainty to face the Roos.

Jeremy McGovern holds his injured ankle during the game. Picture: AFL Photos

"Can he get up in six days is the next question," coach Adam Simpson told reporters.

During the final term, McGovern tweaked his left ankle and hobbled off, but came back on soon enough. Simpson said he would have scans to see if there was any problem.

"Hopefully at the moment it's okay. We've had a lot of syndesmosis and lower leg injuries in the last 12 months, so we're hoping that we avoid another one," Simpson said.

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Ruckman Nic Naitanui suffered an ankle syndesmosis injury and has opted against surgery in a bid to return this year, while Liam Duggan (ankle), Nathan Vardy (knee/ankle), Tom Barrass (foot), Willie Rioli (foot), Elliot Yeo (toe) and Jamie Cripps (toe) are among others to have had issues.

The Eagles weren't overly convincing in beating the gallant Dees by 13 points, but Simpson wasn't fussed.

"We're getting good practice at recognising opportunities to stand up. We didn't do that last week (against Collingwood), and that's probably the first game we've lost that's been close for a long time," Simpson said.

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"We ran out of juice as well.

"I felt Melbourne, injuries really hurt them today, with the conditions and the way the game was going, it looked like that had a part to play today.

"Their best was well and truly matching ours, and probably had their noses in front until they lost a couple."

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His side sits third at 12-5, giving him comfort.

"Where are we on the ladder? We're top three or four? We've probably had the same amount of wins as we had this time last year," Simpson said.

"We're looking for consistency, like everyone, but we're just worried about winning at the moment, not form-line and consistency outside of getting the wins on the board.

"We can play better but the competition's really tight."

At the same stage last season, the Eagles were 13-4 and sat second, behind Richmond.