Injuries hurt Eagles’ AFL finals hopes

Hurn will undergo surgery on Tuesday after dislocating fibularis tendons in his right ankle early in Friday night’s 20-point loss to Hawthorn.

Selwood, last year’s best and fairest winner, will consult a surgeon on Tuesday to discuss whether he also needs to undergo surgery, but a minimum time frame for his return is six weeks.

Veteran wingman Andrew Embley will also miss Thursday night’s crunch clash with Essendon after being offered a one-match suspension for kneeing Hawthorn’s Ben Stratton.

But in a much-needed dose of good news, West Coast confirmed forward Mark LeCras had re-signed for a further four years, tying him to the club until the end of 2017.

Hurn has established himself as one of the most accurate and longest kickers in the AFL, and his prolonged absence will rob West Coast of one of their most lethal counter-attacking defenders.

Selwood’s midfield grunt will also be sorely missed, while Embley has only himself to blame for a moment of madness in which he dropped his knees into Stratton’s chest while the Hawk was pinned to the ground.

Ruckman Nic Naitanui (head) and midfielder Luke Shuey (shoulder) have been cleared to front the Bombers despite copping heavy knocks against Hawthorn.

The injuries and suspension come at the worst possible time for West Coast, who sit a game adrift of eighth spot and face an uphill battle to secure a finals berth.

Matches against Essendon (home), Adelaide (away), Fremantle (home) and Sydney (home) over the next four weeks are set to determine West Coast’s finals fate. The Eagles have suffered a series of injuries to key players this year, with Naitanui, Embley, Sharrod Wellingham, Daniel Kerr, Mark Nicoski, Beau Waters and Will Schofield all spending sizeable stints on the sidelines.

“Every time we feel as though we are on the horizon of having all the players available, we have had some serious injuries,” coach John Worsfold said.

“But that’s footy. On we go.”

Schofield, Mark Hutchings and Brad Sheppard are all in line to return against the Bombers, while midfielder Bradd Dalziell a good chance to play a full game after being used primarily as a sub this year.

Worsfold claimed Embley’s off-the-ball knee to the chest of Stratton wasn’t malicious, but said the 245-game veteran should have known better.

“It’s just a bit of a throwback for the past. They used to happen all of the time,” Worsfold said.

“But with the coverage of today’s game and the rules that are in place, you pay a price. Andrew will pay a price and we move on.”

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