Two Eagles hurt in AFL loss to Port

Port Adelaide defeated West Coast by 40 points in Sunday's AFL pre-season game in Adelaide.

Matthew Lobbe of Port Adelaide Power

Port Adelaide have defeated West Coast by 40 points in Sunday's AFL pre-season game in Adelaide. (AAP)

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has more worries, with key players Sharrod Wellingham and Xavier Ellis injured in a 40-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.

But a week after reigning club champion Eric Mackenzie suffered a season-ending knee injury, Simpson is hopeful both players won't be sidelined for a chunk of the AFL season.

Ellis damaged his left hamstring and Wellingham suffered thigh injury in Port's 1.11.14 (89) to 0.7.7 (49) win at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.

The Power also suffered an injury blow with midfielder Hamish Hartlett straining a groin muscle.

Port assistant coach Matthew Nicks, who stood in for regular head coach Ken Hinkley on Sunday, said Hartlett was in doubt for the start of the premiership season next month.

"I just had a chat to Hamish and he's in pretty good spirits actually, obviously it's not ideal ... but he seems to think he won't be out of the game for too long," Nicks told reporters.

"Do we risk round one and bring Hamish back in a tough game? Probably not but that is something we will have look at."

West Coast's Wellingham, who endured a tough debut season with the Eagles last year due to poor form and injury, was an early substitution.

And his teammate Ellis grabbed at his left hamstring in the second quarter before limping off, also to be substituted.

The injuries came as West Coast were outclassed by Port side propelled by best-afield Robbie Gray, who collected 28 disposals and kicked three goals.

Gray was ably supported by midfield colleagues Brad Ebert (24 disposals), captain Travis Boak (22 touches) and Ollie Wines (18 disposals).

West Coast's Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis was their standout, collecting 26 disposals including seven inside 50s, while Andrew Gaff (22 possessions), Matt Rosa (17 disposals) and Brad Shepherd were prominent.

But the Eagles found the going tough against a Port side who booted four goals inside 13 minutes of the game.

West Coast didn't score a goal until the 17th minute but their breakthrough started a flow of four unanswered goals and the Eagles drew level midway through the second stanza.

But Port then responded to sneak out to a 14-point buffer at halftime before kicking five goals, including a supergoal to Andrew Moore, to West Coast's three majors in a decisive last half.


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Source: AAP


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