Seven Eagles injured in 41-point derby loss to Dockers

Premiership ahead Jamie Cripps was despatched to hospital with a suspected damaged ankle as West Coast suffered as much as seven accidents on a day of carnage of their 41-point western derby loss to Fremantle.

The Eagles misplaced captain Luke Shuey (hamstring), All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern (hamstring) and former Lion Alex Witherden (concussion) within the second quarter alone throughout Sunday’s 16.12 (108) to 9.13 (67) loss in entrance of 56,090 followers.

The ache continued within the third time period as forwards Cripps (damaged ankle) and Liam Ryan (head/leg) joined the wounded.

Younger gun Campbell Chesser (knee) and ahead Oscar Allen (knee) have been additionally troubled by harm woes, however theirs have been on the minor finish and so they have been capable of play on.

However, there have been instances within the second half when West Coast had no match gamers on the bench.

The state of affairs was so dire {that a} hobbling Ryan was patched up and despatched again out onto the sphere within the last quarter to permit West Coast to have not less than one functioning rotation.

Ryan ended up making a gift of an important 50m penalty when he could not stand a mark in time, and he was finally taken again off and despatched all the way down to the changerooms for medical remedy.

Remarkably, West Coast defied the setbacks to shut to inside two factors early within the last quarter, earlier than Fremantle discovered their mojo in addition the ultimate six objectives of the match.

“Inside a recreation, no (I’ve by no means seen something prefer it),” Eagles coach Adam Simpson mentioned of the glut of accidents.

“We’re good at developing with firsts the final couple of years.

“We’re not crying poor, we’re not complaining. It is simply collision and comfortable tissue mixture. However the resilience piece is absolutely necessary for us.

“The third quarter was one of many higher quarters we performed in my time right here.

“I mentioned to them at three-quarter time that in juniors you do not wish to come off. Properly, that is occurring this quarter.”

The harm carnage has the potential to doom West Coast’s season.

Shuey punched an promoting banner in frustration after injuring his hamstring within the opening minutes of the second quarter.

The skipper has a historical past of sentimental tissue accidents and he seems set for not less than a month on the sidelines.

McGovern’s tear regarded even worse, with the star defender pulling up abruptly and grabbing excessive up on his left hamstring after following Matt Taberner to a marking contest.

Witherden was left seeing stars after operating with the flight of the ball and being by chance flattened by Dockers midfielder Jaeger O’Meara in an airborne collision.

Cripps needed to be carried off by two trainers after his ankle twisted awkwardly underneath the burden of Dockers defender Alex Pearce.

Ryan landed closely on his again and neck after hovering excessive in a marking contest and being by chance flipped in mid-air.

He was carried off the sphere by two trainers, earlier than bravely returning for a stint within the final quarter together with his left knee closely strapped.

Simpson coached from the bench within the second half in a bid to maintain spirits excessive.

“In the long run, I circled to supply a little bit of assist to the gamers, however there is no one on the bench,” Simpson mentioned with a wry smile.