WEST Coast's second NAB Challenge outing has left coach Adam Simpson with more worries, with senior players Sharrod Wellingham and Xavier Ellis injured in Sunday's loss to Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval.
The Eagles lost key defender Eric Mackenzie to a season-ending knee injury in the club's NAB Challenge opener against Carlton, but Simpson is hopeful neither of Sunday's injuries will prove as severe.
Ellis pulled up before taking an intercept mark on the wing in the second quarter and then refused to kick, instead handballing to a teammate.
Eagle Xavier Ellis was forced off the field in the second term after grabbing for his left hamstring #NABChallenge http://t.co/yKaWPpYDOz
— AFL (@AFL) March 8, 2015
The former Hawthorn player managed 17 games for the Eagles last year but has a history of hamstring issues and was restricted to just 16 games from 2011-2013.
He left the field immediately with his hands on his head and was seen limping, having donned the red vest, late in the game.
The news was better for Wellingham, who was also subbed out of the game early with a calf issue.
While the severity of Ellis' injury remained unknown, Simpson said Wellingham had only suffered a corked calf.
"Ellis clearly hurt himself but the rest of the guys are a precaution," Simpson said.
"[Wellingham had a] corkie – we've just got to look after these guys, there's no point taking them back on.
"It was more a precautionary look at it."
Mackenzie's value to the side was magnified this year given the retirement of veteran defender Darren Glass at the end of 2014. But in an encouraging sign for the Eagles, Mitchell Brown stood up in Mackenzie's absence against the Power, holding the dangerous Jay Schulz goalless.