West Coast coach Adam Simpson has lost another AFL premiership star to a lower leg problem, likely caused by the hard Optus Stadium turf, with Tom Barrass and Willie Rioli sidelined for longer than expected while Nic Naitanui's return gathers steam.
The Eagles suffered a shock 42-point loss at Optus Stadium to Port Adelaide on Good Friday leaving the reigning premiers with a big job to bounce at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday afternoon against the Cats.
To help in that cause and to also hasten their return to Perth on Sunday night, the Eagles have booked a chartered flight to and from Avalon Airport.
They will do so without at least one premiership star, Jack Redden. The 193-game midfielder has been ruled out with lower leg soreness.
Premiership forward Daniel Venables will take Redden's place despite a quiet start to the season playing for the Eagles' reserves team in the WAFL.
"Unfortunately we'll miss Reddo this week," Simpson said.
"He's got lower leg soreness so we'll make at least one change. We can't blame every injury on the stadium, but the injuries that we are getting are similar.
"We'll bring Venables into the side and we'll always back in the rest of the guys, but we have to get the mix right. But when we were so disappointing last week, the majority of the players will be there."
The news isn't great either for the returns of key defender Barrass and exciting forward Rioli.
Barrass will now miss up to three months after toe surgery while Rioli could still be a month away with another foot complaint.
"He's (Rioli) a few weeks away and he's a very frustrated man at the moment. He loves footy so much, he can't wait to get the ball back in his hands," he said.
"He (Barrass) had surgery yesterday (Thursday). He will be out for seven to 10 weeks so he'll miss a bit of time."
Meanwhile, the return of All-Australian ruckman Naitanui is closing in after his second knee reconstruction and could take place within the next month.
"After the bye will be 11 months," Simpson said.
"So it should be around the bye that he is cleared to come back, but I suspect it will be just after.
"It's all pointing toward a positive outcome and he's knocking on the door a bit, which has been great."
