WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson is hopeful Josh Kennedy will only need one more week on the sidelines to recover from his shin injury.
Kennedy missed last week’s 40-point loss to North Melbourne with the injury, and he’s almost certain to be sidelined for Sunday’s western derby against Fremantle.
But Simpson is hopeful the two-time Coleman Medallist will be fit to return for the crunch clash with the Power in Adelaide on August 11.
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READ NOW“He’s just got a fresh knock on the shin, which is a new incident and unfortunately for him it might push him out for the next week,” Simpson told Channel 7.
“But hopefully not the week after, but we’ll have to assess that.”
In better news for the Eagles, star midfielder Luke Shuey and defender Lewis Jetta (calf) are expected to return against the Dockers.
Shuey had to fly back to Perth before the Hobart match against North Melbourne in order to be with his heavily pregnant partner Danielle Orlando.
Given this week’s match is in Perth, Simpson doesn’t foresee any need for Shuey to miss the derby.
Fremantle could be boosted by the return of midfielder Harley Bennell and forward Matt Taberner.
Bennell hasn’t played an AFL match since round 23 last year, while Taberner hasn’t featured for the Dockers since breaking his foot in round five.
Taberner booted three goals last week in his WAFL return, while Bennell shined for Peel Thunder with 27 disposals and two goals.
West Coast still sit a win clear of third spot despite their heavy defeat to North Melbourne.
Simpson wasn’t happy with the way his team got outplayed in that match.
“It was a disappointing game regardless of who we had in or out,” Simpson said.
“We’d like to think we can still play a pretty good standard (even while missing players).
“But we just got outworked and outhunted around the football, which is disappointing and a bit unlike us.”