STAR West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern could be set for more time on the sidelines after re-injuring his thumb in a marking contest against the Western Bulldogs.

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McGovern has already missed four matches this year with the thumb injury, but Eagles coach Adam Simpson was unsure of the severity of the injury immediately after the two-point loss to the Dogs.

"'Gov' (McGovern) did come back on, we'll have to get a scan and see how it is but I think it's the same thumb," Simpson said post-game.

"It's a really awkward position underneath the fingernail, you've just got to get it flicked to hurt it."

Midfielder Mark Hutchings left the field with a hamstring injury in the first half and Simpson suspected he "won't be playing for a while."

Ruckman Nic Naitanui was a late withdrawal with a sore back, but Simpson expected the talismanic big man to be ready to face St Kilda on Thursday.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge admitted his heart was in his mouth all night as his team's finals hopes hung in the balance.

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli has had his issues with goalkicking across patches in his career, but came through with the match-winning goal with a few minutes left on the clock.

"I think his set-shot kicking has been okay this year, but he's probably kicked it 55," Beveridge said of Bontempelli.

"There was growth in that play.

"The previous week when the game was on the line, Bailey Williams in particular kicked one from a similar position on the full when he had teammates out – we were only about four points down at that point.

"In that play (against the Eagles), Bailey (Williams) managed to find Bailey Smith who then just popped it over the top for Marcus.

"Thank god there was that little black line between the ball and the post."