West Coast coach Adam Simpson has no qualms about pushing high-flying Liam Ryan into full forward if Josh Kennedy’s concussion keeps the key forward sidelined for Tuesday’s AFL clash with Essendon.

Kennedy caught a knee in the side of his head from Richmond’s Noah Balta early in the opening quarter of Thursday’s AFL match at Metricon Stadium.

The Eagles’ leading goalkicker was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the night as the Tigers went on to claim a 27-point win.

With West Coast set to face the Bombers at the Gabba in five days, Simpson concedes it’s unlikely Kennedy will be fit to play.

Oscar Allen (corked glute) should be able to come in after missing the Tigers match but after watching Ryan kick three goals and take four marks inside 50 against the premiers, Simpson says the 23-year-old is an option to fill the void.

“He can go deep and he knows how to play that role,” Simpson said.

“He looked dangerous all night, I thought, Liam and really put his hand up … stood up for us so we might look at that next week.

“He’s developed into an elite AFL player in the last two or three years and it’s through his fitness.”

Thursday’s loss ended an eight-game winning run for the Eagles and will again raise questions about their form outside Perth.

In six matches in Queensland this season, the Eagles have lost four.

While Simpson says the quality of the opponent was a more decisive factor than the location of Thursday’s match he knows it’s an area that needs to be remedied.

“If we’re going to win anything we need to win away from home. We’re not hiding away from that either.”