Cats scan for Eagles
Midfielder Andrew Gaff says facing Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night will be West Coast's biggest test so far under coach Adam Simpson.
The Eagles will travel east this week without forward Mark LeCras, who had scans yesterday after reinjuring the right arm he broke last season.
The club couldn't confirm the extent of the injury yesterday, but the 27-year-old is expected to miss several weeks.
On-ballers Chris Masten (leg) and Scott Selwood (ankle) were also injured in the Eagles' 25-point win over St Kilda at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
Selwood was only able to kick on his left foot late in the game, but is expected to be available.
Masten is less likely after his running was severely hampered against the Saints.
Sharrod Wellingham (general soreness) was a late withdrawal against the Saints, but Simpson was confident he wouldn't miss another match.
Simpson said Josh Hill's three goals for East Perth against South Fremantle on Friday night had put him in the frame to replace LeCras.
West Coast and Geelong go into their clash unbeaten after the Cats overcame Collingwood by 11 points on Saturday night.
The Eagles are on top of the ladder after their thumping wins over the Bulldogs and Melbourne in the first two rounds, but will almost certainly start as underdogs against the Cats.
They haven't beaten Geelong in Geelong since 2006. Their previous victory came back in 1999 although they drew there in 2003.
The true measure of their improvement under Simpson begins this week against the Cats. Following the Simonds Stadium match, West Coast meet Port Adelaide (home), Carlton (away) and Fremantle.
Playing the Cats in Geelong remains one of the toughest challenges in the AFL.
Geelong have lost four games at the venue since 2007, although they were upset by Fremantle in last year's qualifying final.
Gaff said the Eagles knew exactly what would confront them this weekend.
"They're always tough to beat, Geelong," Gaff said.
"I don't think we've beaten them too many times lately.
"They've been so good for so many years. Next week is obviously a big test, the biggest test for us so far this season.
"But we've done what we've had to do this year."
West Coast beat St Kilda despite losing the contested possession count and clearances.
Those areas were addressed by Simpson immediately after the game, and Gaff said the players would be working to rectify the issue during the week.
"We're going to have to play a lot better than that against Geelong," Gaff said. "They (St Kilda) just wanted it a bit more.
"I think we've been pretty good at (contested possessions) over the first couple of weeks."
Australian Associated Press
