West Coast Eagles veteran forward Jamie Cripps has suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury while playing for the club's WAFL affiliate, East Perth.
The 32-year-old went down in the third quarter of Saturday's match against Subiaco at Leederville Oval, clutching his right knee in obvious distress. He was immediately attended to by trainers and later helped from the field, unable to put any weight on the injured leg.
Cripps, who has played 227 AFL games for the Eagles since crossing from St Kilda at the end of 2012, was in his second game back from a groin injury. The club has not yet confirmed the severity of the injury, but early indications suggest it could be a significant setback.
Teammates and opponents alike stopped to offer support as the veteran was carried off, with several Subiaco players patting him on the back. The incident cast a sombre mood over the contest, which East Perth went on to win by 15 points.
West Coast will provide a medical update on Cripps in the coming days. The injury comes at a difficult time for the Eagles, who are already without several key players due to injury, including Oscar Allen, Liam Ryan, and Tom Cole.
Cripps has been a crucial part of West Coast's forward line for over a decade, known for his marking ability and goal sense. He kicked 27 goals in 21 games in the 2024 season and was expected to play a leadership role in 2025.
The Eagles are scheduled to face Port Adelaide in their next AFL fixture, and Cripps' absence would be a significant blow to their attacking structure. Fans will be anxiously awaiting news on the extent of the damage and potential recovery timeline.
