PAST premiership players Matthew Lloyd and Jimmy Bartel have backed West Coast’s ability to overcome the likely loss of Nic Naitanui and maintain their flag push this season.

Naitanui sustained what is expected to be confirmed as a season-ending injury to his ‘good’ right knee during the Eagles’ 35-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

He had scans on Monday morning to determine the extent of the damage, however, the results are still unknown.

Naitanui had sparked a dramatic improvement in West Coast’s stoppage work this season on his return from a separate knee injury that had sidelined him for the previous 18 months.

Former Geelong champion Bartel told the AFL website back-up big man Scott Lycett was capable of filling the void as the Eagles chase a flag.

“Scott Lycett’s not your second ruckman, he’s actually a No.1 ruck playing second fiddle to Nic Nat,” Bartel said.

“He’s still a quality centre-bounce (ruckman). Obviously you lose what Nic Nat brings in the follow-up, but Lycett’s still got good tap work.”

West Coast sit second on the ladder behind Richmond on percentage alone and ex-Essendon spearhead Lloyd said the Eagles remained in the premiership hunt.

“Time will tell to see whether they can go on and win a premiership without (Naitanui) because Lycett’s going well, but he’s no Nic Naitanui,” Lloyd said.

“It’s such an even year, I’ll still say they can.”

West Coast had been ridiculed for a poor record against quality opponents at the MCG in recent years.

But they silenced the critics with an impressive showing in the second-versus-third showdown.

Bartel saw improvements in their ball movement that he felt would stand Adam Simpson’s side in good stead going forward.

“I think we’re seeing already the effects of the new Optus Stadium when they come over to the MCG,” Bartel said.

“It’s a similar size, it’s almost in between the MCG and the ground here at Etihad Stadium.

“They’re getting used to playing on that style of ground and finding the space.

“I look at the stat 117 marks and it’s the first time I’ve seen the Eagles at the MCG find that link between the (50m) arcs.

“That was led by young (Jake) Waterman, who took seven marks, which allows (Josh) Kennedy to stay at home a bit more.”