West Adelaide could lose full-back Joel Tippett due to rib injury sustained in South Adelaide win

WEST Adelaide got the percentage boost it needed against the Panthers but could be without star full-back Joel Tippett for its last two minor round games.

WEST Adelaide got the percentage boost it needed to remain in control of its top-three destiny in a 117-point thrashing of South Adelaide on Saturday.

But the Bloods are likely to be without star full-back Joel Tippett for crucial minor round games against Port and the Eagles in the next fortnight after he injured his ribs.

Tippett took an extended time to get to his feet and then leave the ground after crashing in to the goalpost during the second term.

"We're hoping it's going to be nothing (but they could be) bruised, cracked ... we're hoping they're not broken," West coach Andrew Collins said.

The Bloods have cover in defence with Ryan Ferguson, Adam Hartlett and Kurt Thompson all showing good form against the Panthers.

But Collins will want Tippett and utility Brad Mangan who missed the game with a knee injury back in his side if he's going to give the finals a shake.

"We think we've got a really good team (but) we've got to finish top three," he said.

"If we do that, we're giving ourselves the best opportunity to impact in the finals."

West looks capable of getting those two wins against the Magpies (away) and Eagles (home) after a crushing display against the Panthers in which it kicked 10 goals to none in the first half.

The Bloods did not take their foot off the pedal as a host of players - including Travis Tuck, Daniel Caire, Jon Beech, Aaron Fielke and Taite Silverlock - had big days.

Collins was most pleased with his side's transition from defence to attack.

"We'd been really negative and really conservative with our ball movement since the first half of the Foxtel Cup," he said.

"We went away from some of the basics because of the wet weather.

"We knew today was going to be muddy, but there was no reason we couldn't handle the ball.

"The ball control was a lot better than it's been."

In a week in which he announced he would leave the club after six seasons in charge, Collins also showed why West is well-placed to survive his departure.

There were nine players aged 22 and under in the Bloods' line-up on the day.

"We've got kids," Collins said.

"Keough, Schiller, Kirky, Rankine ... they're all part of the 2010 under-18 losing grand final team under Greg Mellor.

"They're all coming through now.

"We're really pleased with all those young guys.

"This team won't decline as long as it stays together."