Kane Cornes has questioned whether West Coast’s high-performance team should share part of the blame for the injury crisis that has sunk the club for the second straight season.
As AFL statistician @sirswampthing on Twitter revealed earlier this week, the Eagles had 1384 games of experience on their injury list ahead of Round 6, the most of any club.
The reserves have had to call on Will Schofield to come out of retirement and play in the WAFL, while 10 Eagles set to feature in Round 6 have played less than 50 games.
Games experience named on this week's @AFL website injury list
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) April 18, 2023
1384 - WCE
1153 - SYD
934 - MELB
848 - COLL
846 - CARL
813 - RICH
772 - STK
640 - FREM
625 - ESS
611 - GEEL
579 - WBD
500 - PORT
391 - GWS
344 - HAW
206 - GCS
188 - NTH
1 - BRIS
0 - ADEL
Speaking on Schofield’s return, Cornes told SEN's Sportsday that the club has to take responsibility for what has happened.
“That’s how dire the West Coast Eagles’ injury list is, that they need some support (from a retired player),” he explained.
“Is there not some fault of the Eagles on this though? This has been going on for not just this year…, it’s been happening for three or four years, so the high-performance team I think needs to be questioned.
“Everyone is lauding (fitness boss) Darren Burgess (for what he’s done for Adelaide)… well, the opposite is true as well, isn’t it? There has to be some responsibility for the Eagles, their high-performance team.”
At least six Eagles are unavailable this week through soft-tissue injuries, while the management of players such as Nic Naitanui (Achilles) could also be questioned.
Along with Carlton, the Eagles are missing the most players through soft tissue injuries.
Luke Shuey earlier this year admitted the Eagles weren’t in prime shape last season but insisted strength and conditioning staff had put together a new program going forward and players had returned from the off-season in better condition.
Veteran West Australian journalist Kim Hagdorn reported last year that Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett had given support staff “one last chance” to be better this year after injuries also corrupted the club’s 2022 season.
But Cornes added the list management arm of the club is also responsible.
“Also, the continued signing of the veterans. It shouldn’t be a surprise if Luke Shuey gets injured, he’s always injured,” the Port Adelaide legend continued.
“It shouldn't be a surprise that McGovern’s done a hammy… Naitanui is the same, (Elliot) Yeo is the same.
“At some point, they’re going to have to move on from these guys who continually let you down.
“Is anyone surprised if (these veterans) get injured? We shouldn’t be, should we?”
West Coast has lost its last three games by an average margin of just over 50 points and searches for its second win of the season against the Power on Saturday.