West Coast’s latest player availability crisis has led to calls from around the footy world, including Richmond star Jack Riewoldt, to postpone the Eagles’ Saturday night clash with Brisbane.
The Eagles will reportedly have as few as 20 AFL-listed players available for selection, forcing the club to turn to its WAFL top-up players for the second time already this season.
Adding to the drama, coach Adam Simpson is in isolation as well, meaning assistant Matthew Knights will take the reins for what looms as one of the most one-sided AFL matches in recent memory against the Lions.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Riewoldt, whose Tigers thrashed the Eagles by 109 points last week, said forcing them to play despite the current state of their list is ‘unfair’.
“That injury list there and COVID protocol list – it‘s unfair,” he said.
“The reason they’re in this situation is because their government held different border restrictions to the rest of Australia. That’s not West Coast or Fremantle’s fault.
“But now they’re certainly paying a heavy price for it, or certainly West Coast are paying a heavier price than Fremantle so far.
“They’ve got four blokes that they are going to call from WAFL – not only is it affecting the AFL but then the teams that they’re picking from the Western Australian Football League is affected too.”
Among Riewoldt’s concerns is that the Eagles’ situation jeopardises the integrity of the competition, not only depriving them of a fair chance at competing in 2022, but allowing their opponents a crucial leg-up on the rest of the league.
“Let‘s say Brisbane play about half a West Coast side and have a big win – we [Richmond] gained 20 per cent last week. That’s massive,” he said.
“You play West Coast twice this year, a depleted West Coast – which is nothing to do with them – then you’re getting 40, 30 per cent. That’s huge when finals roll around.”
However, the only allowance the AFL is giving the Eagles is an extra 24 hours to name their team for the match, which must be lodged by 5:30pm (AEST) on Friday afternoon.
Tim Kelly of the Eagles gathers the ball. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Tigers star Short inks long-term deal
Richmond fans (and lovers of headline puns) are rejoicing after star defender Jayden Short signed a long-term deal to remain at Punt Road.
Short, who won the Tigers’ best and fairest in their 2020 premiership season, has inked a five-year contract extension, tying him to the club until at least 2027.
The half-back, widely regarded as one of the best kicks in the AFL, said he was thrilled to re-commit to the Tigers.
“It is really exciting. I am very lucky and grateful for the Club giving me a long-term contract,” Short told Richmond Media.
“I want to repay the Club; I have had some very good times here already, and I am looking forward to the next five years.”
Short is one of the more remarkable success stories of the Tigers’ triple-premiership run, having transformed from a speculative rookie draft selection in 2014 to become a crucial role in the club’s 2019 and 2020 flags.
The 26-year old is in All Australian form to start 2022, accumulating an AFL-high 171 kicks in the first seven rounds at more than 24 per game.
A recent move to the midfield has also borne fruit, with Short one of the best afield in the Tigers’ thumping win over West Coast after a 31-disposal game.
Jayden Short of the Tigers runs the ball. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Sick Hawk’s milestone game in jeopardy
Chad Wingard is in doubt for Hawthorn’s Saturday night clash with Essendon, with the forward suffering from a non-COVID illness.
Wingard is due to play his 200th AFL match, having started his career at Port Adelaide between 2012 and 2018, but missed the Hawks’ Friday morning captain’s run after reportedly waking up sick.
The 28-year old, who has already missed matches due to ankle, hamstring and calf issues in 2022, was scheduled to appear at a press conference on Friday morning, but needed to be replaced by teammate Luke Breust.
“He just felt pretty ordinary,” Breust said of Wingard’s condition.
“Unfortunately for him, it’s meant to be 200 games this week, so it would have been great to celebrate that milestone.”
Despite missing training, Breust said the Hawks would give Wingard ‘every chance’ to take on the Bombers.
“It will probably just be a game time decision to see whether he can get up or not,” Breust said.
“Hopefully he can turn the corner in the next 24 hours and be a chance to play.”
Chad Wingard of the Hawks looks to the stands as he breaks the banner during the 2019 AFL round 23 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Optus Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Wingard arrived at the Hawks as a dual All Australian with the Power, but injuries and form have prevented him from hitting those heights at his new home.
He has kicked at least one goal in all five of the Hawks’ matches so far in 2022, while he finished 2021 in fine form in a new midfield role, winning eight Brownlow Medal votes in the final four rounds.