West Coast's top two hopes have taken a massive hit after star forward Josh Kennedy revealed he is likely to miss another two rounds of AFL action.
Kennedy has missed the past two matches with a hairline fracture in his right shin, and will also miss Saturday's clash with the Power in Adelaide.
The two-time Coleman medallist says it will be "a bit of a push" to play the Demons the following week, meaning he might not return until the final round clash with Brisbane.
If Kennedy's recovery is slower than expected, it's conceivable he won't return until the start of the finals.
The news about Kennedy came on the same day that Andrew Gaff was suspended for eight weeks for his off-the-ball punch on Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw.
Star ruckman Nic Naitanui will also miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL last month.
West Coast (14-5) sit in second spot, but they could tumble out of the top four if they lose to Port Adelaide (12-7) and Melbourne (12-7) over the next fortnight.
Gaff, Naitanui and Kennedy are three of West Coast's most important players, and their absence will test the club's depth and fighting spirit.
Defender Will Schofield will miss at least the next two weeks after injuring his left hamstring in last week's win over the Dockers.
Kennedy, who missed three matches earlier this season because of a separate hairline fracture, sustained his latest injury at training two weeks ago when he was accidentally kneed by teammate Tom Cole.
"I won't play this week and it'll be a bit of a push for next week as well," Kennedy told Perth radio station 6PR.
"It's still been a little bit sore.
"We're getting through training at the moment and hopefully I can fully train next week and get through what I need to do to be able to play Melbourne, because we've got a couple of really big games coming up.
"But if not, I'll be definitely hoping to push for Brisbane, which is the last game of the year because I think I'll need a game in definitely before we kick into finals."
