Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has stated his club hasn't issued a ban on their playing cohort in regards to night clubbing in the wake of recent events that have left Eagles coach Adam Simpson "furious and disappointed".
Multiple West Coast players were pictured at Leederville nightclub last weekend amid a period in Western Australia where the state battles with a peak in COVID-19 cases.
The Eagles released a statement in regards to the matter on Friday, with the club investigating the matter.
"Given the current environment and the peak in COVID-19 cases in Perth the club is devastated that some players opted to go out publicly as they have done," the statement read.
"Senior coach Adam Simpson, in quarantine under AFL Health and Safety Protocols, said: 'I am furious and disappointed with the actions of these players'.
"The club has gone to great lengths in educating the players around the need to adhere to club guidelines and it is beyond disappointing that they have put themselves in this situation.
"It is particularly disheartening given the strain on player availability at this stage of the season."
West Coast will be without at least eight players and staff for Saturday night's clash with Brisbane due to AFL health and safety protocols, with Simpson relying on top-up players for the second time this season.
The Dockers have also taken a hit to their player availability in recent weeks, with six players omitted from their Round 8 clash with the Kangaroos due to COVID alone.
While the virus has severely impacted both WA clubs, Longmuir hasn't been required to place a clubbing ban on his players, instead choosing to heed the consequences of their decisions.
"No one really wants to give up their spot in the team for any period of time because it makes you vulnerable," Longmuir said after his side's win over North Melbourne on Friday night.
โWe talked to our players about being smart and avoiding high risk situations.
โItโs not really what the club holds them to account to; theyโre professional athletes who want to be out there on the weekend playing professional football.
โBy going and doing things that put that at risk is their own call really.
โIf you do that and, you give up your spot in the team, youโre no guarantee to come back. They understand that.
โNot one person on our list doesnโt want to be playing football week in, week out."
While COVID concerns have hampered the Dockers' list, the setbacks have done little to place them off course, with Longmuir's side having won six straight games to sit atop the ladder.
The Eagles, however, are facing the likely chance of notching up their sixth consecutive loss in their Round 8 clash with Brisbane.
West Coast's run doesn't get any easier after this weekend, with the 18th-placed Eagles facing reigning premiers Melbourne next Sunday before matches against the Giants, Bulldogs and Crows before their bye.
