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AFLW 2022: West Coast Eagles’ COVID-19 outbreak leaves St Kilda clash in doubt

Mitchell Woodcock and Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
West Coast’s clash with St Kilda is in doubt as a COVID-19 outbreak in the camp continues to grow
Camera IconWest Coast’s clash with St Kilda is in doubt as a COVID-19 outbreak in the camp continues to grow Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

West Coast’s Friday night clash with St Kilda could still go ahead despite a COVID-19 outbreak in the team’s camp reaching double figures.

The West Australian understands at least 11 players and five staff are self-isolating in the team’s hotel under the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols after reporting that they were feeling unwell following Saturday’s loss to Adelaide.

But it’s believed the Eagles could fly WAFLW top-up players to Melbourne to ensure the game can proceed as planned.

West Coast had 10 top-up players training with them throughout pre-season but none made the initial trip to Victoria.

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As of Wednesday morning, the AFL was planning for the clash between the Eagles and Saints in Frankston to be played as scheduled on Friday.

Forward Ashlee Atkins missed the clash with the Crows after contracting the virus.

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Under the AFLW protocols, the Eagles must play if they have a minimum of 16 listed players available, with five train-ons able to be added to the team.

With 11 players in isolation, it leaves the Eagles with 19 fit players to select from, two short of the required 21.

Before leaving for Melbourne, Eagles captain Emma Swanson said the team was going to be “either naive or really over the top cautious” when it came to COVID-19.

Emma Swanson.
Camera IconEmma Swanson. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

“It’s a different feeling because we’ve been in WA and we’ve been lucky over here because we’ve had little to no COVID and it hasn’t been in our faces,” Swanson said.

“We’re watching the Big Bash League closely and the NBL closely as well ... we have been taking notes on what those teams are doing and the restrictions they’re placing around their players.

“And even just how quick players are happening to get back even if they do contract COVID. The girls are in a pretty good headspace I would say.”

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