West Coast's injury curse has struck again, with vice-captain Beau Waters ruled out of action for 10-12 AFL games due to an elbow tendon injury.

Waters appeared to hyperextend his right elbow when he was tackled to the ground late in the Eagles' 18-point victory over Port Adelaide on Saturday.

The 25-year-old spent more than 18 months out of the game after dislocating his left elbow in 2008, an injury that required several rounds of surgery before it finally healed.

Luckily, the latest injury occurred to Waters' opposite elbow, but it is still likely to sideline the hardnut defender for more than half the season.

The blow is a bitter pill to swallow for the undefeated Eagles, who lost star forward Mark LeCras (groin) and midfielder Chris Masten (knee) to serious injuries in the opening game of the season.

Waters has established himself as one of the toughest AFL players going around during his 84-game career, with ruckman Dean Cox describing his teammate's on-field deeds as motivational.

"Some of the acts he does on the football field are amazing, really team inspiring," Cox said.

"He laid a couple of tackles, put on that smother and then gave the ball to Andrew Embley to finish with a goal.

"It's an unbelievable effort and hopefully it's not too long until he can continue doing those things for this footy side."

Waters' absence could pave the way for premiership defender Sam Butler to return to the side for Saturday night's clash with Sydney at Patersons Stadium.

West Coast won just four games last season but Cox was confident the team had put those dark days behind them.

"I think certainly with our performances we are starting to show that a lot of the younger players are starting to really mature and understand what it takes to win games of football," Cox said.

"Last year was very disappointing but we've certainly turned the corner and hopefully there's a few more wins around.

"There's no point us starting the way we have and then ... ending the season on a bad note. It's just about sustaining the efforts."

Cox praise the effort of 29-year-old veteran Andrew Embley, who has played starring roles in West Coast's opening two wins of the season.

"Well, I think everyone just looks at a date of birth and says once you're in a period of time well then it's time up," Cox said.

"I think Embers has proved that no matter what the age, you can still have an impact for the footy side and he's done that for his whole career.

"I think he can play for a number of years yet."

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