While recently vaccinated West Coast forward Jack Darling made his long-awaited return into the Eagles' inner sanctum last Friday, a fresh injury complaint has seen the 29-year-old join a litany of stars on the club's injury list.
Following ambiguity, uproar and an array of missed medical appointments, the four-time leading goalscorer reportedly rolled up his sleeve on Thursday to receive his first dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine less than a fortnight out from the season's commencement.
Darling's highly-publicised hesitancy towards inoculation saw him miss both of West Coasts' pre-season losses to Fremantle - clashes that saw the club's medical staff placed under duress.
Although the likes of Luke Shueyย (hamstring),ย Liam Dugganย (knee),ย Oscar Allenย (foot),ย Tim Kellyย (health and safety protocols),ย Dom Sheedย (ankle),ย Elliot Yeoย (calf),ย Tom Coleย (ankle),ย Jamie Crippsย (pectoral),ย Sam Petrevski-Setonย (knee),ย Campbell Chesser (ankle), Greg Clark (shoulder) and Tom Joyce (ankle) all remain under injury clouds, Darling will now join the collective on the sidelines.
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As first reported by 7News reporter Ryan Daniels, the 2019 All Australian sustained a tendon issue in his foot after returning to Lathlain and is now expected to miss several weeks of senior action.
A setback for Jack Darling - the @WestCoastEagles forward will likely be unavailable for up to a month due to a foot injury.
Tendon issue.@7NewsPerth
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) March 12, 2022
The Eagles' latest lower leg ailment is sure to see further queries arise about the surface at Mineral Resources Park.
Having lost Sheed, Yeo and Chesser in what proved to be a devastating pre-season derby against the Dockers on Friday, February 25, West Coast steward Adam Simpson was forced to field questions about the rigidity of the club's home track.ย
"We've been training on this ground [Mineral Resources Park] for three or four months and to get three [injuries] in a quarter and a half, it's hard to put your finger on it," Simpson offered.
"The ground's Clegg readings are really good and we water it well, so I don't think we can blame the ground. I don't think we can blame anyone. I think it's just unfortunate luck at the moment."
Despite the loss of Darling leaving the Perth powerhouse close to wafer-thin offensively ahead of their season opener against the Suns next Sunday, Daniels also reported that club captain Luke Shuey had made positive strides towards a return from a hamstring strain.
Luke Shuey got through yesterdays @WestCoastEagles intra-club match-sim without any issues.
Hamstring held up.
Keeps him in contention for round one. @7NewsPerth
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) March 12, 2022
Given the 31-year-old's past pair of seasons were routinely interrupted by injury, should Simpson see fit to select his skipper, it would provide the 2018 Norm Smith medallist with an opportunity to lace the boots for just the 21st time since Round 1, 2020.
And although Simpson's 22 for West Coast's Round 1 date at Optus Stadium will be far from full strength, Eagles fans will just be desperate to finally put their Murphy's Law of a summer behind them.
The east meets west contest is scheduled for 7:40pm AEDT.
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