West Coast are facing a long stint without Jamie Cripps and Jeremy McGovern as they continue to feel the injury impact of their brutal western derby defeat to Fremantle.
Cripps will head for surgery on his broken left ankle and is looking at four months of recovery, while coach Adam Simpson said McGovern's absence with an injured left hamstring would also be "reasonably long-term".
The Eagles could be forced to make up to seven changes for Sunday's AFL clash with Melbourne at Optus Stadium.
Along with Cripps and McGovern, West Coast suffered injuries to Luke Shuey (hamstring), Liam Ryan (leg), Campbell Chesser (knee), Oscar Allen and Alex Witherden (concussion) during their 41-point loss to Fremantle at the weekend.
Simpson could not hide his dismay at the latest injury news.
"(Cripps) will be out for most if not all of the year, which is really unfortunate," he told Fox Footy on Monday night.
"He had a cracking pre-season and is a very important player for us.
"McGovern, there's some scans waiting but that looks like it's going to be a reasonably long-term situation."
In better news for the Eagles, the 32-year-old Shuey - who has a history of soft-tissue problems - is not expected to be sidelined for too long with his hamstring injury.
"(Shuey) has worked so hard on being the best version he can be with his preparation and how diligent he's been with his body," Simpson said.
"It is a minor one ... and that's the killer for us, because everything he does with his hamstrings are one or two-week injuries that are barely soft tissue.
"He's hoping it's a short turnaround and we just kept backing him in and keep trying."
Elliot Yeo would be the ideal replacement for Shuey if he can show he has overcome the calf injury he suffered on the eve of the season.
Defender Harry Edwards looms as the likely replacement for McGovern, while forward Jack Petruccelle booted four goals in a WAFL practice game last week and is set to replace Cripps.
Defender Josh Rotham, who made his WAFL return last week after recovering from a broken arm, is another in the selection mix, along with Greg Clark, Jai Culley, Connor West, Brady Hough, Rhett Bazzo and Xavier O'Neill.
Ruckman Nic Naitanui (achilles) is unlikely to be available until close to the middle of the season.
