West Coast’s injury struggles rage on in huge loss to Western Bulldogs

West Coast’s injury struggles have been well documented but they won’t motivate Adam Simpson to rush two star midfielders back from the WAFL.

The Eagles are continuing to be decimated by injuries. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

West Coast coach Adam Simpson is likely to leave star midfielders Elliot Yeo and Dom Sheed in the WAFL for a few weeks rather than rush them back into the AFL line-up.

Although he is running out of options, with another injury sustained to All Australian defender Jeremy McGovern on Saturday night.

McGovern was subbed out of the Eagles team in the opening quarter of their 101-point thrashing at the hands of the Western Bulldogs with a nerve-related back injury.

The full extent of McGovern’s injury is unclear, but Simpson said he has had similar issues in the past and hinted that he would not be available to head to Adelaide in Round 12 to play the Crows.

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McGovern’s injury kept him from finishing the game on Saturday. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Earlier on Saturday, both Dom Sheed and Elliot Yeo played in the West Coast’s WAFL team and got through unscathed.

Sheed has not appeared at AFL level this season after injuring his ankle in a pre-season game against Fremantle. He had 18 touches in his side’s 78-point loss on Saturday.

Yeo hasn’t been seen in the AFL since Round 6 when he was subbed out during his side’s loss to Port Adelaide. He has battled concussion, Covid and a calf injury this season.

He’s back on the paddock and had nine possessions on Saturday, but was likely being managed.

The Eagles’ game against the Crows is their last before their bye.

However, Simpson wouldn’t even confirm the pair would suit up against Geelong in Round 14.

“Both got through their build, but it won’t be a quick fix either,” Simpson said. “It’ll take weeks.

“Sheed got injured in the first practice match against Fremantle and Yeo has played one and a half games this year.

“So, we have to get them as fit and match ready as we possibly can.

“There is a bye coming up as well, so they will get to play some WAFL there. We won’t be throwing them straight back in ... not necessarily (after the bye); whenever they are ready.

“For two years, probably, we’ve just tried to get them available and it’s hard to come in and be at your best.

“We had 24 or 25 to pick from today. We need to get them match-hardened and ideally that is through the WAFL.

“Some of the guys who are playing need football to get back to their best.”

Simpson speaks to captain Luke Shuey during the Eagles’ huge loss to the Western Bulldogs. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Eagles will get a chance to bolster the number of available players on their list this Wednesday via the mid-season draft.

Being in 18th place on the AFL ladder guarantees the Eagles the number one selection. The club has yet to decide whether they will add one or two players to their list.

Simpson said they would look to take the best talent.

“We have needs across the board,” he said.

“You don’t get access to the talent coming through; you get the previous talent.

“Some have excelled at this stage of the season, so we’re excited about what we can bring in.”