West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy is a good chance of lining up in Sunday’s crunch RAC Derby after relatively positive news from scans on his right knee.
Kennedy was hurt in a marking contest during the third quarter of Monday night’s narrow loss to Melbourne.
After receiving attention on the bench and having the knee strapped, the dual Coleman medallist returned to the action and helped inspire the Eagles' fightback after a lightning delay.
“Josh had a hyperextension of his knee in the third quarter which has been scanned and it looks like it was good news,” General Manager – Football Craig Vozzo told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“There’s some small issues there but nothing that we can’t manage. If he gets through training he’ll be available to play, so looking relatively good.”
The news is a boost to West Coast as the club prepares for two huge weeks to finish the season with finals at stake.
Meanwhile, important trio Luke Shuey, Tom Barrass and Liam Ryan are all expected to return against Fremantle.
Shuey has missed three games with a calf strain, while Barrass (hamstring) has been sidelined for four matches and Ryan has spent two weeks out with his own hamstring niggle.
“Luke, Liam and Tommy, they all got through their various protocols with our (strength and conditioning) staff last week, so they’ve just got to main train this week to be available for selection and we’re expecting all three to do so,” Vozzo said.
However, 301-game backman Shannon Hurn will miss the remainder of the home and away season following confirmation of a minor hamstring strain suffered early against the Demons.
“Shannon on scan it shows a low-grade hamstring unfortunately, which will probably keep him out for a couple of weeks,” Vozzo said.
“The professional he is he’ll work through that and hopefully we’ll get into finals and he’ll be available for the first round of that.”
The Eagles are still investigating Liam Duggan’s knee soreness after he was a late withdrawal from the Melbourne clash, but the versatile defender won’t be available this round as the Eagles chase a 12th-straight RAC Derby victory.
“We’ve had some ongoing issues with ‘Duggo’s’ knee which we’re working through to to assess,” Vozzo said.
“He won’t be available to play this week, we’ve got a medical opinion that we’re waiting on in terms of how we treat it moving forward.
“But definitely, unfortunately, won’t be available this week.”
In other news, small forward Jamaine Jones is set to resume in the WAFL this weekend after a six-week stint out dealing with an ankle syndesmosis problem.
Big man Bailey Williams (ankle) should also be available for selection.
Injury list:
Brendon Ah Chee Hand 2-3 weeks
Tom Barrass Hamstring Test
Jarrod Cameron Ankle TBC
Liam Duggan Knee TBC
Shannon Hurn Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Jamaine Jones Ankle Test
Josh Kennedy Knee Test
Liam Ryan Hamstring Test
Luke Shuey Calf Test
Bailey Williams Ankle Test
