Kennedy leg fracture worsens Eagles’ woes

WEST Coast will be without its two best forwards against Essendon tonight after Josh Kennedy joined Jack Darling on the club’s injury list.

Kennedy suffered a hairline fracture to his right leg in last week’s loss to Sydney, and hasn’t been able to recover in time to face the Bombers.

Coach Adam Simpson is confident the injury isn’t serious, predicting Kennedy will miss one to three weeks.

But Kennedy’s absence against the Bombers at Optus Stadium will leave a major void, especially with Darling (ankle) still sidelined.

Kennedy (29 goals) and Darling (28) have kicked the bulk of West Coast’s goals this season.

Simpson said the team’s forward line would lean heavily on the lead- ership of Mark LeCras, given both Kennedy and Darling were missing.

Kennedy’s injury could open the door for former Cat Nathan Vardy to return to the side.

Vardy was cut down by a pre-season groin injury, but is now fit and could slot into the forward line in the coming weeks.

Fraser McInnes was last night named, while Oscar Allen and Brendon Ah Chee are other options in the mix.

Simpson is also considering swinging Jeremy McGovern forward, or giving ruck duo Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett more time in attack.

“We’ve got to get on with life without JK or Jack Darling,” Simpson said. “We’ll get a glimpse of the future this weekend. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”