West Coast Eagles nightclub saga in the past, says Adam Simpson

The struggling West Coast Eagles have moved on from their nightclub saga, according to senior coach Adam Simpson.

Adam Simpson says the Eagles have moved on from the nightclub saga. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Adam Simpson says the West Coast Eagles have moved on from the nightclub saga that left seven players fined and jeopardised the club’s ability to field a team last week.

The decimated Eagles needed to draw from their Covid contingency list for the clash with Brisbane and were disappointed to learn that, despite the club’s dire personnel crisis, seven players risked contracting Covid by attending a Perth nightclub the weekend prior.

Jackson Nelson, Josh Rotham, Jake Waterman, Hugh Dixon, Patrick Naish, Campbell Chesser and Rhett Bazzo were each fined $5000 for the breach of club protocols.

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Simpson previously said he was “furious” with the players in question but on Friday said the Eagles had put the breach behind them.

“Obviously, they’re very remorseful. It was an error of judgment, really,” he said.

“It was a poor call by those players, so we were really disappointed. They all apologised, pretty much straight away. We’ve dealt with it and we’ve moved on.

“The unity is still strong within the club, the players are still tight. They made a mistake and we’ll move on.”

Adam Simpson and the Eagles are doing it tough. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The Eagles’ injury and Covid woes have left them floundering at the bottom of the ladder and they’re not out of the woods just yet; Shannon Hurn (calf injury) and Andrew Gaff (quad) will both miss West Coast’s clash with Melbourne this Sunday afternoon.

“Unfortunately, we won’t have a full-strength side again. We’ve got some injuries,” Simpson said.

“We’ve lost Shannon (Hurn) and (Andrew) Gaff. Just a couple of little niggles late yesterday. It takes us down to 23 AFL players available.”

Simpson, who is himself returning from Covid-19 protocols, said the Eagles would need to select WAFL players from their contingency list to name a team.

Captain Luke Shuey also remains sidelined with a hamstring complaint, and in his absence, vice-captain Jeremy McGovern will lead the side out in round 9.

The Demons are the only side undefeated in 2022 and their world-class midfield threatens to run riot at Optus Stadium.

“It’s another huge challenge. I thought we were up for the fight last week,” Simpson said.

“Trying to play a style that is competitive and that can win is our priority.”

The Eagles have won only one of their first eight games. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

On Friday afternoon, Eagles chairman Russell Gibbs wrote a letter to members and fans urging them not to lose hope.

“As a supporter, I too get disappointed at the results we are currently having on field after enjoying many years of success, even premierships,” he wrote.

“But now is the time I will be ensuring I also celebrate those small wins, including the development of players and game style as we work towards our next period of success.”

Gibbs also reiterated his support for Simpson despite the slow start to the season that followed a disappointing end to 2021.

“We also have an excellent coach in Adam Simpson,” he said.

“Along with his assistants, support staff and players, I can assure you that they are both realistic about what needs to be done and are also determined to work extremely hard to ensure our team is set up for sustained future success.”