West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett faces a nervous wait while experts determine whether he needs to undergo a knee reconstruction.
Lycett requires surgery for a posterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee that he carried for the second half of the season.
But the type of surgery he needs is still up in the air.
If he needs to undergo a full PCL reconstruction, he could miss anywhere between six to 12 months.
If the surgery ends up being on the more minor end, Lycett is expected to be available for the start of the AFL club's 2017 campaign.
Lycett met with Melbourne surgeon Julian Feller on Wednesday for a second opinion, after his initial consult with a surgeon in Perth.
The 23-year-old said he still isn't sure what type of surgery he needs.
"I think once the West Coast physio and doctors get together, they'll know a bit more and have a plan from there," Lycett told Perth radio station 6PR.
"They'll announce something soon.
"If it's a reconstruction, it could be anywhere from six to 12 (months). We'll see. But fingers crossed it's not that."
West Coast's ruck stocks are already thin after Nic Naitanui ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament late in the season.
Naitanui will miss most - if not all - of next season, leaving Jonathan Giles as the only current fit ruckman at the club.
With injury clouds hovering over Naitanui and Lycett, West Coast are expected to make a huge push to lure GWS big man Rory Lobb to the club.
Lobb is contracted with the Giants for 2017, and the Eagles will need to come up with a sweet deal to lure the 206cm emerging star their way.
Another option for West Coast is delisted Kangaroo Drew Petrie, who could come to the club as a short-term fix.
The Eagles are seriously weighing up the possibility of signing Petrie, but the 33-year-old has hardly rucked in recent years.
Fremantle ruckman Zac Clarke could also be on their radar, as well as out-of-favour Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson.
Lycett was clearly hampered during West Coast's shock 47-point loss to the Bulldogs in the elimination final.
But he said he had no regrets about playing the match.
"I think I was all right to play," Lycett said.
"Simmo (coach Adam Simpson) asked me the same question after the game.
"I didn't need a jab before the game but as it worked out, I probably should've got one.
"Then once I hurt it, I had to go down and get a jab.
"In hindsight, it was a final and I'm pretty content with myself that I went out there and I thought I was right to play. Unfortunately I copped a knock and it affected the knee."
