West Coast Eagles forward Liam Ryan left bloodied after head clash with Melbourne midfielder Trent Rivers
Ryan ran into Rivers as he tried to apply pressure on the Demon at half-forward and clashed heads with the East Fremantle product, which left the premiership star bleeding from the head and lying on the turf during the second term.
The forward was taken from the ground and is set to undergo a HIA test to determine if he will be able to take any further part in the game.
If Ryan is ruled out it will mean draftee Hamish Davis will be injected into the game having started as the tactical sub in his fifth game for the Eagles.
Ryan had started the game quietly with just the one disposal which was a behind in the first term.
The 28-year-old is one of only four premiership players out on the ground for West Coast who are looking to add a second win to their tally for the season.
West Coast have named plenty of youngsters in the team, having dropped Sandy Brock, Jack Hutchinson and Matt Flynn as well as losing No.1 draftee Harley Reid because of injury.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter brought in Harry Edwards, Campbell Chesser, Tom Gross and Davis into the team.
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Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian The Crows showed their maturity to absorb the early pressure and break it open from the centre clearances, with their dominance starting to give them an advantage on the scoreboard. West Coast's efficiency going forward ensured they were still within reach at the first break, scoring four times from only five inside 50s. Remarkably, the Eagles started to get on top at the stoppages and set up so well behind the ball they were able to lock the ball in their front half. West Coast would kick the only three goals for the second quarter to take the most unlikely of six-point leads heading into half-time. Anyone thinking the Eagles were going to be satisfied with one strong half against the top side were quickly corrected as draftee Hamish Davis kicked the first goal of his career. Shanahan kicked his third soon after and an upset for the ages was on the cards as they led by 17 points. West Coast coach Andrew McQualter coaches from the bench. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Duggan then decided to stamp his authority on the game with a big bump on Thilthorpe that left the Adelaide power forward in a lot of neck pain and might have the former in trouble with the match review officer. Adelaide regained the lead on the back of their dominance at the clearances and threatened to finally storm away from a brave West Coast. Yet the home side were not going to give up without a fight as Liam Ryan (three goals) kicked consecutive goals before the final break to regain the advantage on the scoreboard and keep the parochial crowd involved in the contest. Kelly then kicked the opening goal of the final term in unconvincing circumstances to once again give hope of an incredible win. Mercurial Crow Rankine turned it on after the main break, racking up 20 disposals and kicking the goal to regain the lead in the final term after touching it only three times in the first half. Thilthorpe then put the dagger through the heart, kicking a goal from outside 50 to put Adelaide a game clear on top of the table with only two rounds to go. West Coast's Tim Kelly whips out a handball. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian ADELAIDE 5.2, 5.4, 9.6, 13.9 (87) WEST COAST 3.1, 6.4, 10.4, 12.6 (78) Goals – ADELAIDE: L Pedlar 3 R Thilthorpe 3 J Dawson B Keays D Fogarty J Peatling I Rankine J Soligo Z Taylor. WEST COAST: L Ryan 3 J Shanahan 3 L Baker T Brockman C Chesser J Cripps H Davis T Kelly. Best – ADELAIDE: J Dawson J Soligo I Rankine L Pedlar R Laird M Keane. WEST COAST: T Kelly R Ginbey J Shanahan T McCarthy B Hough L Ryan. Injuries – ADELAIDE: J Peatling (corked thigh). Umpires: J Power B Wallace M Young J Fry. Crowd: 32,845 at Optus Stadium.
