WEST Coast's battle-scarred spearhead Josh Kennedy has already been ruled out of Sunday's must-win clash in Brisbane, but coach Adam Simpson is confident Jack Darling will overcome concussion.
Kennedy will miss his fifth straight game due to a hairline fracture in his shin, leaving him short of crucial match touch and conditioning ahead of a possible qualifying final comeback.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old has been sidelined for half the season due to an ankle issue, stemming from calf/Achilles woes last year, and two hairline fractures in his right kicking leg.
West Coast sorely missed Kennedy and sidekick Darling against Melbourne on Sunday in a failed first attempt to lock up a top-two spot.
Darling was out of the game with concussion at the 10-minute mark of the opening term, compounding Kennedy's absence.
Neither of the Eagles' twin towers trained during a recovery session at Subiaco Oval on Monday, but Darling is a strong chance to be cleared for the Lions clash.
"I've done a lot of campaigning today (for Kennedy to play) and it hasn't got me too far," Simpson told Channel Seven on Monday night.
"I think we'll miss Josh this week – he won't play – and Jack he was walking around (after being ruled out of the Demons game), he's fine.
"He got some minor concussion and we didn't take the risk in the game, and he seems to be OK.
"Until we do the testing later in the week we won't really know, but at the moment we're thinking Josh won't play and Jack will."
The Eagles will almost certainly have to beat Brisbane to finish second and secure two home finals, and could drop to fourth if they lose, setting up a daunting MCG bout with Richmond.
Kennedy's ongoing absence could increase versatile defender Will Schofield's chances of returning from a hamstring injury this Sunday, potentially freeing up Jeremy McGovern to spend more time forward.
Young talls Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen are also in the mix. Waterman has booted 10 goals for East Perth in the past two weeks.
"They're obviously first- and second-year players. Jake's played more football than Oscar, but they've got a bit a bit of presence," Simpson said.
"They're definitely part of our future. Whether they're part of next week's plans or not, that's up to match committee. We've got a few other options there as well.
"We're looking forward to getting Josh back into the side, but at the moment we'll have to go with someone else."
Simpson denied it felt like West Coast's season would go on the line in Brisbane, confident his side – already without Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff for the rest of the year – could challenge a top-four rival on the road if required.
"Top two is up for grabs this week and that would be great to get two home finals but I think ambitions of finishing top four, that's the main goal, and top two we'll take that every day of the week," he said.
"We're going for it, we're going full bore at it but I don't think it's season-on-the-line type of stuff."
