INJURY-HIT West Coast will lean on veteran Mark LeCras to lead a youthful forward line after spearhead Josh Kennedy was ruled out of Thursday night's clash with Essendon.
Kennedy suffered a hairline fracture near his right knee during the Eagles' loss to Sydney on Friday and could miss up to three weeks.
The dual Coleman medallist's absence, combined with Jack Darling's (ankle) unavailability for the next month, means West Coast will be without its leading goalkickers, who have combined for 57 majors this season.
It is also the first time neither of the twin towers has been in the line-up since Darling's debut in round one, 2011.
"We were going to try to get (Kennedy) up and give him every chance, but there's just a tiny little hairline fracture in the side of his leg," coach Adam Simpson said.
"We'll see how long he's out for, but I don't think it's a long-term issue at all. He might be right for next week (against Adelaide).
"We've got to get on with life without JK or Jack Darling."
The Eagles' first-choice spine has been decimated for the Optus Stadium match, with full-back Tom Barrass (back) already out of contention.
Simpson wouldn't reveal who would come in for Kennedy, although workhorse Fraser McInnes and ex-Geelong big man Nathan Vardy are in the mix.
West Coast could also rely on ruckmen Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett to rest forward more often.
"We've got to be pretty creative with what we do. Whether we bring in Fraser, or play (Jeremy) McGovern forward, or Scott and Nic spend more time forward," Simpson said.
"That's what's going to give us a bit of unpredictability.
"Every club goes through injuries, it's our turn at the moment.
"It's that combined with some real youth in our front half that's going to be a challenge for us."
The Eagles' attack is likely to include Jake Waterman (12 games, 13 goals), Willie Rioli (11, 10), Liam Ryan (four, eight) and possibly Jarrod Brander (one, zero).
Two-hundred-game sharpshooter LeCras will easily be the most experienced forward.
"We're really excited about the guys we've got playing there and we've got to find a different way to score and maintain the pressure," Simpson said.
"LeCras has been around for a while. He's not just a small, crumbing forward, he can play in all areas.
"We're leaning on him for his leadership and he's been sensational this year with the kids."
Versatile backman Will Schofield, whose wife has given birth to a son, and possible debutants Oscar Allen and hybrid tall Josh Rotham are in contention after the Eagles took a small defence into the Swans clash.
West Coast (10-2) can reclaim top spot on the ladder with victory over Essendon (5-7), but Thursday night's clash looms as a danger game against an outfit fighting to keep its season alive.
"They've had two wins interstate in the last four weeks. They've got a pretty aggressive brand with their pressure, especially when they get it in their front half," Simpson said.
"We've got to find a way to absorb that and bring that pressure back."
