Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

West Coast's AFL team decimated by COVID

West Coast will field a vastly changed team against North Melbourne due to a COVID outbreak. (AAP)

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says at least 12 players from Sunday's loss to Gold Coast have been ruled out this week due to the AFL's Health and Safety Protocols.

The Eagles are in the midst of a devastating COVID-19 outbreak, with either positive results or close-contact rulings stripping the team of their best players.

Josh Kennedy, Tom Barrass, Jack Redden, Zac Langdon and Isiah Winder were ruled out earlier this week and it's understood at least another seven players have been scratched.

Simpson fears there could be more players missing ahead of Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

The situation means West Coast will have to hand a series of debuts to young players on their list, as well as dip into their top-up players from the WAFL.

It means some players will put on a West Coast jersey on Sunday without ever having had a proper training session with the club.

The AFL have been steadfast in saying games will go ahead irrespective of COVID-19 outbreaks.

"There's no point crying about it, we've just got to get on with it," Simpson said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.