Nasty concussion, hamstring injury, cramps hit West Coast in practice match defeat
The West Coast Eagles were rocked by a hamstring injury and a concussion in their practice match ahead of the 2024 season, while a couple of players suffered cramps.
The Eagles went down to rivals Fremantle 98 to 46 at Mineral Resources Park, but it was a long list of troubling injuries that have Eagles fans on edge.
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Prized No.1 draft pick Harley Reid went down with cramps, while Reuben Ginbey suffered a nasty hit that saw him ruled out under concussion protocols.
Late in the fourth term, Brady Hough also came from the ground, complaining of leg cramping.
Reuben Ginbey was forced off under concussion protocols. Getty
Before the match, ruckman Matt Flynn suffered a hamstring tendon injury, which could result in up to an eight-week delay to his 2024 campaign.
It also means 24-year-old Bailey Williams will be likely left to ruck duties alone.
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Eagles assistant coach Luke Webster played down the severity.
"I think those two boys went down with cramps (Hough and Reid). Reubs (Ginbey) goes out with concussion protocols. (Matt) Flynn we'll work through," Webster said.
Harley Reid complained of leg cramping in the club's practice match against Fremantle. Getty
However, there were some positive signs for last year's wooden spooners.
Before Reid's cramps, the Eagles decided to test the 18-year-old, whose game style has been likened to Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, on Fremantle dual-Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe.
"It wasn't a specific plan, but what a great opportunity for a young player to learn off one of the stars of our game," Webster said on Reid's match-up.
It also seems like the club has a stronger game plan in place for 2024.
"We're really going after our contest and pressure. We saw a few elements we liked," Webster said.
"We are on a journey to get better at everything. We didn't finish our work, obviously, so maybe some goal kicking this week."
The Eagles will travel to South Australia to face Port Adelaide in round one of the 2024 season.
