Mackenzie injury rocks Eagles
UPDATE: West Coast's start to 2015 has been rattled by an injury that will keep key defender Eric Mackenzie sidelined for the season.
Mackenzie damaged his knee in the Eagles' 1.9.15 (78) to 2.4.5 (47) win in the NAB Challenge match against Carlton last night.
Scans today revealed Mackenzie has ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament.
"He will wait for swelling in the knee to subside this week before having surgery," the club said in a statement.
Mackenzie was the key to the club’s backline because he plays on the opposition's best forward every week.
The injury will almost certainly force Jeremy McGovern to play as a defender in at least the short term. With Jack Darling injured and unable to take part in the pre-season, McGovern loomed as a potential forward this year.
West Coast’s forwards all performed well against the Blues with Josh Kennedy kicking four goals and Mark LeCras booting two.
A howling breeze directly down the ground made it difficult to score when kicking into wind. West Coast kicked with the breeze in the first term and established an early lead which Carlton couldn’t bridge.
Matt Priddis was his usual busy self in his first match since winning the Brownlow Medal Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff were damaging when they won the ball while Chris Masten and Brad Sheppard both performed well.
Scott Lycett also showed encouraging signs in the ruck.
For Carlton, Chris Yarran’s class was evident as many players struggled with the wind.
GWS recruit Kristian Jaksch tried hard and West Australian draftee Blaine Boekhorst showed that he has the ability to break through when he wins possession.
Ed Curnow, Tom Bell and Simon White were also prominent for the Blues.
WEST COAST 1.2.6 - 1.4.7 - 1.8.10 - 1.9.15 (78)
CARLTON 0.1.1 - 0.3.2 - 0.4.3 - 2.4.5 (47)
SUPERGOALS – WEST COAST: J Kennedy. CARLTON: C Wood, Z Tuohy.
GOALS – WEST COAST: J Kennedy 3; M LeCras 2; S Tunbridge, J Bennell, J Cripps, M Priddis
CARLTON: L Jones, D Armfield, T Bell, S White.
