Should the AFL postpone West Coast’s clash with Brisbane on Saturday night?
That’s the question that’s been bubbling around the AFL community this week and it came to a head on Friday evening when the Eagles named their side.
They’ve had to call on their top-up list for the second time this year as a result of COVID peaking in Western Australia and an injury crisis at the club and will be severely lacking in manpower when they take on the Lions at the Gabba.
The AFL has maintained its strong preseason view that every match will be played as scheduled in 2022, however Richmond star Jack Riewoldt suggested the match should be delayed.
“It‘s unfair,” Riewoldt told AFL 360 on Thursday night.
“The reason they’re in this situation is because their (WA) 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.”
However, unsurprisingly, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan wants the game to be ahead, firing back at Riewoldt on Friday afternoon.
“I wonder why Jack didn’t say that last week before Richmond played them,” Fagan said.
“The AFL made it pretty clear at the start of the year that the competition was going ahead come hell or high water. and they’ve given us all the opportunity to have additional players on our lists if that situation occurs.
“It’s unfortunate for West Coast at the moment that they’re the hardest hit, but we don’t know what’s down the track.
“This could happen to every team at some point in time which makes it even more important to bank wins while you’re healthy.”
Richmond smashed West Coast by 109 points last week in the Eagle's third straight loss.
Brisbane are rated the hottest favourite of the year so far by the bookies in Round 8 and Fagan’s side is largely expected to receive a big percentage boost to lock themselves into the top two on the ladder.
However, the sixth-year coach is still giving Brisbane’s depleted opponents plenty of respect.
“A picture can easily be painted we’re playing a West Coast Eagles team full of young blokes that have hardly played any football, but the truth is they’ll still run out with 12 or 13 players that played in their premiership side not so long ago,” he said.
“To disrespect them in any way, shape or form would be a big mistake by us.
“In sport you see it all the time, teams with their backs to the wall can certainly come out and produce a great performance.”
Brisbane’s percentage of 140.2 is only behind Melbourne’s 145.9 heading into Round 8, last year’s premiers also the only side to still be undefeated.