Eagles investigating injury crisis after high-performance staff granted “massive reprieve” in 2022
West Coast has launched an investigation into the reasons behind numerous soft tissue injuries at the club that have formed part of a wider injury crisis.
Heading into Round 9, the Eagles have an 18-man injury list, only two of which could potentially return this weekend against Gold Coast.
Jai Culley became the latest to go down when succumbing to a season-ending ACL injury on the weekend. Many are unavoidable contact injuries, although nine are soft tissue injuries and the handling of Nic Naitanui’s Achilles injury could also be called into question.
In a letter to members penned on Wednesday evening, West Coast chair Paul Fitzpatrick detailed how the club shares the disappointment of its supporters in starting with one win through the opening eight rounds.
In acknowledging the injury list as a “major factor” in the Eagles’ woes, Fitzpatrick wrote: “We have experts helping us look into the situation to see whether there are specific reasons behind a number of the soft tissue injuries that have occurred.
“To go from having almost every player fit and available leading into the round three RAC Derby, to having 16 or 17 players on the injury list and losing seven players in one game, has been extraordinary.
“But regardless of that dire situation, we are committed to rebuilding our list from the bottom up. Our current plight has merely shone the spotlight on the situation.”
With an ageing list, Fitzpatrick – in his first year as chairperson – added the Eagles will continue to target the draft over the coming years.
See the full statement here.
Adam Simpson has committed to rebuilding the club until 2024.
Following last year’s disaster injury management, veteran journalist Kim Hagdorn reported the high-performance Eagles staff had been offered a “massive reprieve” in keeping their jobs for 2023.
Mark Kilgallon also joined the high-performance team as strength and conditioning coach late last year.