AFL denies West Coast Eagles an early flight home
West Coast’s hopes of returning early from a second stint in the AFL hub have been dashed.
West Coast’s hopes of returning from a second stint in the AFL hub early through the transfer of their final round clash against the Kangaroos have been dashed.
Despite the compromises that have been made to keep the season afloat this year, the league ruled against switching the hosting rights of a game in the middle of the season.
The Eagles had offered North Melbourne, which was hoping to recoup some of the money lost through an inability to play matches in Tasmania this season, a reported $800,000 to play the match in Western Australia.
It would have allowed them to return to Perth after their Round 17 clash against St Kilda on September 10 and host an eighth match for the season on home turf.
The Eagles, who have slipped to fifth after a loss to Richmond on the Gold Coast on Thursday, will play three matches in nine days, beginning with a pivotal clash against Essendon at the Gabba on Tuesday night.
Had its request been approved, West Coast could have spent up to three more weeks in Perth and potentially longer depending on where the AFL decides to host finals.
The AFL, which is expected to announce which city will host the grand final on Tuesday, is likely to retain the bye between the end of the regular season and the finals.
The league is committed to holding finals in Adelaide and Perth, if possible, though quarantine and border restrictions remain a barrier to cross in WA.
The AFL has not outlined its reasons for rebuffing the request of West Coast, which faces a struggle to reclaim a spot in the top four and guarantee a double chance.
But Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said he could understand the potential integrity concerns the proposition posed.
Clarkson, whose Hawks face the Crows in Adelaide in the earlier game on Tuesday, described the issue as a “really tricky one” for the competition.
It is estimated the AFL has lost $400m this year in a financial disaster caused by COVID-19 and there is a prospect of a significant deficit again in 2021, particularly if crowd restrictions are in force.
“It’s one I should not really weigh into, to be fair, because it has got nothing to do with us, but it is a real dilemma for the game,” Clarkson said.
“The game needs money and these clubs need money, including ours. There are a lot of clubs (in trouble), particularly the Melbourne-based ones.
“Some of the interstate clubs have been able to continue to have crowds and generate some level of revenue and income. They have been given a real leg-up.
“When North does have an opportunity to earn some money out of a game, because they have been deprived of that through the season, then who can question it?
“But for the teams who are competing with West Coast in terms of a spot and finals position, I think they might be a bit aggrieved.”
The Eagles will field an attack with a difference against Essendon given the absence of experienced pair Josh Kennedy and Jamie Cripps.
Kennedy, a dual-Coleman medallist, suffered concussion when accidentally kneed in the head by Richmond’s Noah Balta on Thursday.
Cripps has returned to Perth to be with his pregnant partner. As a result, Jack Darling will spearhead the club’s attack against the Bombers.
“It’ll be a glimpse of the future,” coach Adam Simpson said. “As much as we love Josh and want him to play forever, when the time comes, hopefully we have got some players that can step in and fill the void, albeit it will be a huge one to fill.
Essendon sits two points outside the eight in 11th position. It found form after a listless opening against Hawthorn in Adelaide last Thursday to win by 16 points.
But the Bombers have a testing run home, following the clash against West Coast with matches against the third-placed Geelong, top-placed Port Adelaide and Melbourne, which sits eighth.
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“Josh is really good. He passed the cog state, but he won’t play.â€
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) August 31, 2020
Adam Simpson on Josh Kennedy pic.twitter.com/WmTkLNoCTa
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