WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has questioned the hardness of the Optus Stadium surface after a spate of lower-leg injuries at WA's new football venue.
Simpson has confirmed young gun Daniel Venables will join exciting forward Liam Ryan on the sidelines for up to three months after having his ankle trapped awkwardly in a tackle during the win over Gold Coast.
Ryan went down in round three against Geelong, while Cats defender Cam Guthrie needed ankle surgery following an injury in the same match.
Star West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey is also struggling with a toe complaint from the Suns clash and failed to train on Monday.
WATCH: Young Eagle down with ankle injury
"We're a little bit concerned at the moment, it's been two or three lower-leg injuries that we've sustained and even other teams have sustained at this new stadium," Simpson told SEN radio.
"We've just got to keep an eye on the surface at Optus and make sure that's not the reason.
"I'm not saying it is, but we've just got to keep an eye on the injuries we're getting and other teams are getting on our oval, we've just got to make sure it's not due to the hardness.
"It's a completely different make-up (to Subiaco Oval). Different grass, different hardness underneath it.
"The feedback from the players at the moment is that it’s a little hard on the feet, but we’re working through it."
Geelong was down to one fit player on the bench against the Eagles after Nakia Cockatoo (PCL) and Gary Ablett (hamstring) also sustained leg injuries.
Fremantle star Bradley Hill is still on the comeback trail after almost rupturing his ACL against Essendon in round two at Optus Stadium.
The Dockers have played two games at the venue but defender Joel Hamling hasn't noticed players pulling up with more aches and pains.
"I don't think so. We train in so many different places and play in so many different places as well, I don't think (so), personally," Hamling said.
"Some guys with foot problems may get sore feet on the hard deck, but for myself it's fine.
"I don't think it feels any different. I guess it could be like Etihad (Stadium). It might be a touch harder, but I haven't really noticed the difference."
There have been several teething problems with Optus Stadium, including a higher-than-expected number of restricted view seats and sharp edges on the LED signage around the boundary, which caused bad cuts to the arms of Geelong players Mark Blicavs and Zach Tuohy.
