Essendon's 15-point loss to West Coast has been compounded by an ankle injury to young gun Andrew McGrath.

McGrath limped from the field after awkwardly twisting his ankle in the second quarter at the Gabba.

He ended the game on crutches and with his left ankle being iced.  

McGrath has been an impressive improver this season but could miss the rest of the Bombers' season.

"It looks bad," senior coach John Worsfold said post-game.

"We won't guess at the diagnosis, but it's a high ankle sprain which often end up being those syndesmosis injuries."