A Message From The CEO

Dear Members 
I write to your regarding the article that was recently published on thewestaustralian.com.au regarding West Coast Eagles listed players playing in the WAFL Competition in 2022.

No decision or agreement has been reached with any WAFL Club, the WAFC or the West Coast Eagles. All parties are currently in discussions regarding the participation of West Coast Eagles players in the WAFL competition for 2022 and beyond now the West Coast Eagles have disbanded their WAFL side.

Players returning to their WAFL Club of origin is the most likely option at this time. This would mean, that based on West Coast’s current list of players, WAFL clubs would receive the following 
•    Claremont – 6
•    East Fremantle – 4
•    East Perth – 0
•    Peel Thunder N/A due to alignment with Fremantle
•    Perth – 0
•    South Fremantle – 2
•    Subiaco – 3
•    Swan Districts – 3
•    West Perth – 4

This currently leaves 14 West Coast players without a WAFL Club of origin. The WAFC has been charged with finding a satisfactory solution that must be agreed upon by the WAFL clubs and the West Coast Eagles. As written, we believe this is still a number of weeks away as there are a number of requirements that need to be met by the WAFC before any decision is made. 

East Perth’s priority in the discussions currently being held between the WAFC, WAFL Clubs and West Coast is to ensure our Club is not negatively impacted due to no East Perth zoned players being currently listed at West Coast. 

Any comments that this is an ‘alignment’ or ‘partnership’ are simply unfounded. The WAFL competition, as a whole, will be responsible for accommodating West Coast players when they are not selected in the AFL squad.

Initial research has indicated that it is likely to be an average of three to four interstate players each week that would be available for selection if a single WAFL Club was to house all interstate players.  

We are committed to ensuring our current playing group has the best opportunity to continue to develop and play at the highest level possible to allow us to challenge for WAFL League Premierships.

We appreciate this topic is a sensitive one for players, members, supporters and staff. I share your frustration that there has yet to be any feasible solutions presented to the WAFL Clubs to allow a fair decision for the WAFL competition, WAFL Clubs and the West Coast Eagles, to be reached.

Whilst we wait for this from the WAFC, we continue our pursuit of improving our list, developing our preseason training schedule and overall improving as a Club to ensure Season 2022 is a successful and enjoyable one.

Yours sincerely
 

CEO
East Perth Football Club