A FRUSTRATED Josh Kennedy was subbed out of the win over Gold Coast to manage his injured elbow, coach Adam Simpson says.
Kennedy was unhappy with the decision, raising his arms towards the coach’s box as he ran to the bench to receive the red vest.
Kennedy kicked four goals against the Suns, three during the Eagles' record 12-goal third term, but was subbed out of the game 10 minutes before three-quarter time.
WATCH: Adam Simpson's full media conference
Simpson said it was a sensible move given he is still recovering from the "complex" elbow injury he suffered a fortnight ago.
"To get full recovery he needs to get through four-to-six weeks. We've just got to make sure when we see an opportunity to give him a break, we take it. It was a good suggestion from our medical staff. He wasn't too pleased, but I think we get a fresh JK next week," Simpson said.
Kennedy voiced his displeasure to Simpson on the phone while sitting on the bench.
"He didn't say a lot," Simpson said. "It was a bit of banter, but he was fine."
Simpson said he was an "angry" coach throughout the 92-point drubbing of the Suns on Saturday night. The second-year coach said he got a bit caught up in the negatives of some of his side's play.
He was very pleased overall with the performance, particularly in the wet weather, which has been the Eagles’ weakness in recent years.
The Eagles had 66 inside 50s to 24, but Simpson was annoyed his side was beaten 54-33 in the clearances.
"Our clearances mainly were disturbing me a little bit," Simpson said.
"If we want to stand up and play well every week we can't let that big a gap happen.
"We did well to rebound off those but we need to compete around the ball."
Elliot Yeo put together another outstanding performance collecting 29 disposals and kicking four goals.
"He wants the ball in his hands when he goes forward," Simpson said of Yeo.
"He's not necessarily a midfielder that rests forward. He likes to go for his marks and we encourage that. He got rewarded tonight with some good play up the ground.
“This is the reason why we need him in the midfield at the moment because he's a different dynamic than the others."
The Eagles travel to Melbourne next Saturday to face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
They should get key defender Jeremy McGovern back after he failed to recover from the corked calf he suffered against Port Adelaide.
"He's had a big year and he's carrying a few injuries," Simpson said. "He needed a week off."
Jackson Nelson was McGovern's late replacement. Brad Sheppard suffered a slight tweak to his right knee in the last quarter but Simpson said he should be fine.
