West Coast forward Josh Kennedy appears set for a sizeable stint on the sidelines after injuring his calf during Sunday's eight-point loss to GWS at Domain Stadium.
Kennedy slumped to the turf in pain upon hearing a pop in his right calf early in the final quarter of the 14.14 (98) to 14.6 (90) loss.
The two-time Coleman medallist initially feared he had torn his Achilles tendon, but West Coast's medical staff believe the damage is only calf related.
Kennedy will undergo scans to determine the extent of the damage, but he could be out for at least six weeks if the tear is a serious one.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson says he will consider playing Jeremy McGovern as a forward to fill the void left by Kennedy, while back-up ruckman Drew Petrie is another option.
Kennedy's injury comes at a bad time for the Eagles, whose top-four hopes are under threat following two-straight losses.
West Coast were walloped in contested possessions a fortnight ago during their 61-point loss to Essendon.
And although they came up slightly ahead in that area against the Giants (147-145), the Eagles were left with other concerns.
GWS ruckman Shane Mumford tallied 50 hit-outs to help the Giants win the clearances 53-32, with the visitors also dominating the inside-50m count (56-43).
West Coast led by 15 points midway through the third quarter - mostly thanks to their staunch defence.
But the weight of numbers eventually paid dividends for the Giants.
The lead changed eight times during an epic final-quarter tussle, before Giants forward Toby Greene finally broke the game open.
Greene had endured a shocking day in front of goal over the first three quarters but he produced the goods when it mattered.
He nailed a long-range set shot to put his team up by nine points at the 24-minute mark of the last quarter.
And he saved his best for last, nailing a 50m running shot from the boundary to ice the Giants' first ever win over West Coast.
"He was disappointed with his first three to four shots on goal," GWS coach Leon Cameron said of Greene.
"But good players keep persisting and he was was one. His fourth quarter was probably the icing on the cake that we needed when we were a little bit shaky in front of goal."
The result lifted GWS (8-2) to equal top of the ladder, while sixth-placed West Coast (6-4) are back in the pack.
Eagles speedster Lewis Jetta (28 disposals, two goals) played his best game for the club.
"It's really good to see him contribute like he did," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said of Jetta.
"He had 800m gained, and that's what we got him at the club for.
"That's one game. We need to see him back it up."
But Jetta could come under scrutiny for the way he remonstrated with Mumford during the second quarter.
Share
