West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett expects all seated members to access games under 75 per cent cap

West Coast will try to keep players away from fans in an attempt to lose as few as possible to COVID this season. In an email to members, Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said access to players at training and other events would be limited in the hope they could continue to field “a competitive team”. While a large number of players across the competition have tested positive to COVID over the summer, it is understood no West Coast or Fremantle men have caught the virus yet ahead of WA’s new border opening date of March 3. “I apologise in advance that we will continue to be very cautious with all of our players this year in relation to public appearances and access to players at training and other club events, to best minimise their exposure to COVID-19,” Nisbett wrote. “We have all seen in recent months how infections can spread so quickly among sporting clubs and impact the ability to field a competitive team; the more we can do to avoid this, the better we will be able to navigate the season effectively.” Nisbett said more than 90,000 members had already signed up and the club was on track to break the 100,000 mark for the third year running. The Eagles are confident all seated members will have access to the season-opener against Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on March 20. It will be played with a crowd cap of 75 per cent, about 45,000 fans, as part of the State Government’s level one restrictions. “We’ve had 75 per cent capacity limits before, and we’ve managed to fit in all of our members; we will communicate with you prior to round one if there are any special requirements that you need to be aware of,” he said. “Hopefully, we will be back at 100 per cent before too long; however, the safety of our players, staff and the community remain at the forefront of our minds and we will work to the rules in place as the season progresses.” The threat of a 50 per cent crowd cap hangs over the round three western derby, which would cause significant ticketing disruption for the Eagles’ home game on April 3. Premier Mark McGowan said increased level two restrictions would probably be needed for the peak of WA’s Omicron outbreak, which is modelled to arrive at the end of March. Nisbett briefly addressed Jack Darling’s vaccination situation, which could cost the All-Australian forward a huge sum of money if the Eagles decide to move him to their inactive list. “I know you are probably anxious to know how things are progressing with Jack Darling; however, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate, it’s a private and sensitive situation, and there’s nothing I can comment on beyond what the club has already stated publicly,” he wrote. “We will share any updates when we can.”