EAGLES BOSS FURIOUS AT PLAYERS’ BIG NIGHT OUT
WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson says he is “furious and disappointed” after Eagles players were pictured partying at a popular Perth nightclub before the club’s latest Covid-19 outbreak.
The club revealed in a statement it was investigating the matter after defenders Jackson Nelson and Josh Rotham were photographed at Leederville’s Hip-E Club last Saturday night.
“I am furious and disappointed with the actions of these players,” said Simpson, who is in health and safety protocols.
Nelson, 26, had played in the loss to Richmond on the Friday night, while Rotham had featured in a 55point defeat to Peel Thunder in the WAFL the same day the photographs were taken.
“The club has gone to great lengths in educating the players around the need to adhere to club guidelines and it is beyond disappointing they have put themselves in this situation,” the club statement read.
“It is particularly disheartening given the strain on player availability at this stage of the season. At the earliest opportunity the club will meet with the players concerned.”
The statement came just 24 hours after stand-in coach Matthew Knights claimed the club had done everything possible to avoid further outbreaks.
Also pictured at the venue were Tigers
players Nathan Broad, Dion Prestia, Liam Baker, Ivan Soldo and co-captain Dylan Grimes, who were partying after celebrating Broad’s engagement to fellow West Australian and Love Island star Tayla Damir.
Prestia, who was subbed out against the Eagles at three-quarter time with achilles and soleus muscle tightness, has been ruled out of Richmond’s clash with Collingwood due to illness.
Nelson, alongside in-form defender Alex Witherden, was one of the first West Coast players to enter Covid protocols this week, with Simpson joining them on Thursday.
The outbreak has forced eight Eagles, players and staff including Simpson, into health and safety protocols ahead of their clash with Brisbane.
Rotham, 24, missed the North Melbourne game in round 2 with Covid protocols and was set to be named in the 22 to face the Lions.
It is understood the West Coast players did not break any rules by attending the nightclub, with an eightday break scheduled ahead of the clash with Brisbane.
However, the night out came less than 48 hours after the Eagles’ 109point loss to Richmond as the club slumped to 1-6.
West Coast on Thursday flew to Queensland to face the Lions at the Gabba, along with four WAFL players after being forced to dip into its Covid contingency list for the second time this season, with cases compounded by injuries.