Willie Rioli will have to wait a little longer for his football return after coach Adam Simpson confirmed the West Coast goalsneak has suffered a hamstring setback.

Rioli pulled up with tightness this week and won’t be available to play against Brisbane on Saturday or in the WAFL this weekend.

“Disappointing. He’s pulled up a bit tight a couple of days ago and unfortunately we can’t play him – as much as we all would love to,” Simpson said.

“It’s the way of our season a little bit, on occasions when we’re ready to bring people in we either lose people or they don’t get to the line.

“But it’s been a really good process for him and the club. The last eight weeks, really proud of what he’s done.

“He’s got complete buy-in from our players and staff.

“He’s back. His suspension’s over, he just won’t be playing this week.”

Despite missing out this weekend, Rioli’s season is not necessarily finished, with the Eagles still a chance to play finals, while the WAFL team has three matches remaining.

After two years on the sidelines due to suspension, the 2018 premiership forward would have returned to the senior side against the Lions had he been available.

“I think we were going to play him, yeah,” Simpson said. “Everyone we spoke to were pretty keen to bring him in.

“Disappointing, but not the end of the world.

“It’s been a big journey for him, and it’s just disappointing, but he’s dealt with more adversity than this.”

Simpson also confirmed star bookends Josh Kennedy (finger) and Jeremy McGovern (hip) would not be available to face the Lions. 

“Josh is a bit banged up from the game. He actually came back on with a compound fracture in his finger I think and he finished the game off,” Simpson said.

“Two six-day breaks with the travel, he just can’t play – as much as he’d love to.

“And ‘Gov’ has been carrying a hip for a long period of time – probably a couple of years – and it’s just getting to the point where eventually he’s going to need surgery.

“He needs a week off unfortunately. We might just wait until the weekend (before assessing when to send him for surgery).”

The Eagles are set to be a young side against Brisbane, providing more opportunity for emerging talent in a familiar theme for the injury-interrupted campaign.

“Good opportunity. What we have got out of this year is we have got opportunity for some of the younger players to come through,” Simpson said.

“Luke Edwards, Luke Foley, Harry Edwards, these type of players, Connor West.

“They’ve had a good sniff of AFL footy and they will get it again this week.”

Simpson said the energy amongst the group was evident with a youthful team ready to take on Brisbane with the hope of keeping the season alive.

To qualify for finals, ninth-placed West Coast must upset the Lions - who are aiming for a top-four spot - and hope either Carlton or Collingwood can defeat the Giants or Essendon respectively.

“They’ve (Brisbane) obviously hit their straps the last few weeks. We had a good look at them last week against Fremantle when they were over here,” Simpson said.

“Scoring from stoppages they kicked 11 goals, their contest work and pressure, and they play a pretty solid, consistent system as well, and they’re tough.

“So that’s the challenge for us.”