Eagles sweat on sore McGovern in AFL

West Coast sit in second spot on the AFL table, but Eagles coach Adam Simpson isn't getting carried away just yet.

Matt Rosa of the West Coast Eagles.

West Coast wingman Matt Rosa will miss out on their clash with Gold Coast due to injury. (AAP)

He's become the Mr Fix-It of West Coast's defence, but Jeremy McGovern is finding it a tad hard to fix himself.

McGovern is in doubt for Saturday night's AFL clash with Gold Coast in Perth after picking up a corked calf in last week's win over Port Adelaide.

The 23-year-old has played through pain in numerous games this season already, with a bruised knee the most serious of the ailments.

Despite the niggles, McGovern has established himself as a key cog in West Coast's surge into second spot.

The former rookie is the leading intercept mark in the competition, with his expert reading of the play helping to overcome the dual loss of Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson says he will give McGovern up until the last minute to prove his fitness.

"He trained on Friday, so it's more about how he pulls up," Simpson said.

"It's just a corky. But after a six-day break; we need every minute.

"He's been playing sore for a while.

"But we're not batting deep at the moment in tall defenders. He is really filling a void for us, so we need him to get up."

Wingman Matt Rosa is set to spend at least another fortnight on the sidelines after aggravating his hamstring at training this week.

But if West Coast thought their injury woes were bad, it's nothing compared to that of the Suns, who have been ravaged this season.

With stars such as Gary Ablett, Nick Malceski, Jack Martin, David Swallow, and Jaeger O'Meara sidelined through injury, the Suns will start as $7 underdogs to topple the Eagles for the first time.

The return of Harley Bennell, Brandon Matera, Trent McKenzie, and Danny Stanley from club-imposed suspensions has partially eased Gold Coast's headache.

Suns assistant coach Andy Lovell said the club's strong stand against the quartet for breaking team alcohol rules was necessary.

"It's not the first time in the history of our game and it probably wont be the last time that young players will have an error in judgement," Lovell said.

"But for us it's about making sure that they understand the standards that we expect as a footy club.

"While it was really disappointing that those boys did what they did, on a positive note they went back to the NEAFL and their intent and their attitude was fantastic."

The Eagles are being talked up as finals contenders following their shock win over Port Adelaide.

But Simpson isn't getting carried away with the team's lofty ladder position.

"I know we sit second on the ladder and we're rapt about that but I think the ladder hasn't settled either," Simpson said.

"It's going to take a few more weeks to identify where you are really at.

"So that's why it's such an important game this week and in the month to follow."


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Source: AAP


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