Emotions have run high at West Coast after star ruckman Nic Naitanui suffered another knee injury in the AFL.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson fought back tears in a post-game TV interview on Sunday at the MCG and later said in his media conference that his feelings were all over the shop.
Naitanui will most likely need another knee reconstruction, this time on the right.
He had played 15 games this season after returning from the left knee reconstruction that put him out of action last year.
The 2012 All-Australian left the field immediately after landing awkwardly in a marking contest with Collingwood opponent Brodie Grundy during the second term.
Naitanui was seen later in the Eagles' rooms limping heavily.
He flew back on Sunday night with the team and scans on Monday in Perth are expected to confirm the bad news.
It was a day of extremes for the Eagles, who overcame the loss of Naitanui for a 35-point win over the Magpies.
"They're all over the shop - I've been terrible," Simpson said of his feelings.
"I didn't handle it well.
"It (the win) is bittersweet; the way we handled it after the game, we're human.
"To show your emotions, there's nothing wrong with that."
Simpson said he did not tell the team at halftime that Naitanui potentially had suffered another anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The coach also revealed that Naitanui was handling the potentially-devastating injury better than anyone.
"He's probably the one who's most relaxed with it all," Simpson said.
"Your heart breaks a little bit if it's the case - it's his other knee and it's one of those things that words can't describe.
"But as he said 'I'm not dying'. He's not dead. He's still the same person.
"It's just unfortunate we may have lost him for another season - I was the worst, he was the best."
Back-up ruckman Scott Lycett was outstanding when Naitanui went off, holding his own against Magpies star Brodie Grundy, and he is now crucial for the Eagles.
Fellow ruckman Nathan Vardy will also return after racking up 66 hitouts in the WAFL on Saturday for East Perth.
Simpson was unsure when asked if they suffered any other injuries against Collingwood.
"I've had my head up my own backside in the last 15 minutes," he said.
