West Coast are bracing to be without in-form star Elliot Yeo for at least a fortnight as injuries begin to mount for the wooden spooners.
Yeo sat on the bench for the final term of the Eagles’ six-point loss to Essendon with a groin injury, while forward Jake Waterman (concussion and hamstring) and Noah Long (knee) were also casualties of the defeat at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson said Yeo’s groin setback was at the minor end of the spectrum, but the 30-year-old is still likely to miss at least two games as the club exercises caution on its star with a significant recent injury history.
It’s set to see Yeo sidelined for clashes with the two clubs he starred against in West Coast’s surge to the premiership in 2018 – Collingwood (away) and Melbourne (home) – over the coming fortnight.
Yeo has a history of soft-tissue injuries, having been restricted to only 37 games in the previous four seasons.
The latest setback comes at an inopportune time, with an in-form Yeo out of contract and reportedly looking for a multi-year deal to remain at the Eagles.
“He’s sore but nowhere near what he was in previous years. It’s at the minor end,” Simpson told 7NEWS.
“It probably keeps him out this week, maybe the week after but we don’t see it as a big step back for him.
“He’s done a lot of work on his body over the break and he’s in good shape, it’s just a small step back we think.”
It was better news for co-captain Oscar Allen (knee) and ruck recruit Matt Flynn (hamstring) with the duo pushing to return before the mid-season bye.
Allen was back running at training on Monday morning, while Flynn has been regularly training with the main group in recent weeks.
“(They) are both working really hard to get back as quick as they can,” Simpson said.
“Maybe before the bye but realistically we’re thinking the first game after the bye is when both of those guys may be available. I think they’re pushing a big harder than that.”
The Eagles are likely to regain Ryan Maric after he was a late withdrawal against Essendon with illness, while Yeo’s injury is likely to see veteran Dom Sheed retain his spot despite collecting only 14 disposals in his first full game for the season.
Collingwood have also been hit by injuries, with Beau McCreery (concussion) and Brody Mihocek (hamstring) to miss, while Lachie Schultz has accepted a one-match suspension for striking Carlton’s Blake Acres.
Jordan De Goey (groin) and Tom Mitchell (appendix) are also likely to miss again after not playing in the win over the Blues.