West Coast’s depleted backline hit further as Harry Edwards concussed in pre-season belting to Port Adelaide

West Coast have come crashing back to earth after a summer of optimism as Port Adelaide tore them to shreds by 73 points only a fortnight out from their season opener. And the 22.8 (140) to 9.13 (67) loss was compounded by a concussion to first-choice full back Harry Edwards, who could miss the round one clash against Gold Coast further depleting an already injury-hit backline. The Eagles will be hopeful the potential inclusions of more than half a dozen best 23 players will boost the side when they next play at People First Stadium on March 15. But they could be without Edwards after he be diagnosed with a concussion, with the 200cm backman to face the mandatory 12 days on the sidelines. Edwards collided with Port Adelaide forward Ollie Lord early in the second term and was visibly dazed, with it taking before he was escorted from the ground and ruled out of the game. The 25-year-old’s absence could further hurt West Coast’s already paper-thin defensive stocks with co-captain Liam Duggan (concussion), breakout star Reuben Ginbey (toe) and star recruit Brandon Starcevich (calf) all no certainties to face the Suns. “It’s a few weeks still before round one so we’ve got a little bit of time but we’re going to have a few (players) who are going to be really close and we’re going to have to make some decisions around how many of those guys who haven’t had huge minutes come in and play round one,” McQualter said. “We think we’ll have some more availability round one. “They (Starcevich and Ginbey) will be around the mark. They’re still a fair bit of water to go under the bridge and they’ve got to get a fair few sessions done between now and then but they’ll be close.” To make matters worse, those who did suit up down back for the Eagles were given a reality check by West Australian Mitch Georgiades, who booted a game-high six goals. They weren’t helped by the home side’s inability to stop Power star duo Zak Butters (36 disposals and two goals) and captain Connor Rozee (33 disposals and eight tackles), who were a class above the Eagles’ new-look midfield. West Coast will look to the positives of the heavy defeat. First-round draftee Josh Lindsay is a near-lock to join Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler for round one debuts after being among the Eagles’ best with 22 disposals across half-back to go with a goal. Veteran Elliot Yeo will be better for the run, albeit he is still away from his best while All-Australian spearhead Jake Waterman (two goals) showed he is capable of causing damage if he gets enough opportunity. Former Brisbane midfielder Deven Robertson all but assured he would play in round one with 28 touches and seven clearances, while Harley Reid had spurts of impact with a team-high 22 touches and five tackles. And there were signs from Duursma and Duff-Tytler of their immense talent that should have the AFL excited. Port Adelaide’s ruthless reflected that of their new coach Josh Carr from his playing days, with the visitors piling on the first eight goals. It took Waterman to break the run half-way through the second term, but by then the damage had been well and truly done. The Eagles’ intent was strong early, but their skills were woeful as they made basic mistakes and fumbled poorly which brought on the Power’s pressure. Port Adelaide were far more clinical and kicked the only five goals of a dominant first term which would’ve frustrated coach Andrew McQualter. He would’ve been further aggravated when they didn’t respond to start the second as the Power kicked the next two goals to put the result almost beyond doubt. West Coast managed to arrest a bit of momentum in the second term with mid-season draftee Jacob Newton kicking two goals in a promising display. The worst was still yet to come for the Eagles though, who showed little resistance in the third term as Port Adelaide piled on 11 goals to three to lead by 71 points at the final break. East Fremantle product Mitch Zadow was injected into the game for the Power only days after signing through the pre-season supplemental selection period. And Zadow had an instant impact, hitting up star teammate Jason Horne-Francis who kicked his second in an unselfish bit of play. Both teams were out on their feet come the final term, but the damage had been well and truly done for last year’s wooden spooners who have a lot to work on before round one. SCOREBOARD PORT ADELAIDE 5.1, 9.3, 20.7, 22.8 (140) WEST COAST 0.4, 5.7, 8.8, 9.13 (67) Goals – PORT ADELAIDE: M Georgiades 6 Z Butters 2 D Byrne-Jones 2 J Horne-Francis 2 J Whitlock 2 J Berry J Burgoyne W Drew C Durdin O Lord J Richards D Visentini J Wehr. WEST COAST: J Newton 2 M Owies 2 J Waterman 2 C Duff-Tytler J Lindsay T McCarthy. Best – PORT ADELAIDE: M Georgiades Z Butters C Rozee J Watkins W Drew A Aliir D Byrne-Jones. WEST COAST: D Robertson J Lindsay T McCarthy H Davis L Baker C Duff-Tytler. Injuries – WEST COAST: H Edwards (concussion). Umpires: C Jones A Whetton T Bryce E Lee. Crowd: 3835 at Mineral Resources Park.