South Fremantle coach Todd Curley coach has slammed the West Coast Eagles after they were forced to select players from the COVID-19 contingency playing list, one of which was his star player Jake Florenca.
Curley questioned whether the Eagles should've been allowed to do so given the decision arose out of the Eagles' "lack of discipline" following the Leederville nightclub fiasco.
West Coast called on Claremont's Declan Mountford in addition to Florenca after health and safety protocols and injuries left them with just 21 players for their clash with Brisbane last week.
Speaking to his club's Facebook page, Curley said he was excited for Florenca to get his opportunity at AFL level, but was not impressed by the Eagles contributing to their own problems.
"Whether they (the Eagles) should be able to use top-ups when theyโve got guys going to nightclubs and contributing to their own problems, Iโm not sure about that one," he said.
โIโve got no issue with the system, I think itโs a great opportunity for Jake, heโs in good form and hopefully plays really well. But the fact it was their own doing and lack of discipline that led them to be short of players, thatโs probably an issue that needs looking at going forward.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=735964907561466
โIf you shoot yourself in the foot then Iโm not sure you should get the help thatโs available to everyone else.โ
Seven Eagles players attended the Hip-E nightclub following their 109-point thrashing to Richmond, leaving players including out of action the following week against Brisbane.
Curley believes their actions had ramifications for both the Eagles and South Fremantle side, given Florenca - the leading ball-winner so far this season with 30 touches a game - was absent at the WAFL level.
South Fremantle suffered an eight-point loss on the weekend to the first-placed West Perth, but remain a solid third on the WAFL ladder after four rounds.
Adam Simpson says heโs โfurious and disappointedโ with @WestCoastEagles players who went nightclubbing last weekend.
Jackson Nelson, pictured, has COVID.
Club to meet with players when possible. @9NewsPerth @6PRbreakfast pic.twitter.com/OGRp25jCgT
— Paddy Sweeney (@SweeneyPaddy9) May 6, 2022
Florenca impressed onlookers in his AFL debut last week, looking at home with 19 disposals, seven tackles and 13 contested possessions.
West Coast is under heavy scrutiny as they record a 1-7 start to the 2022 season, with coach Adam Simpson the latest coach to come under fire.
They face the Demons this weekend in Perth on Sunday afternoon (3:20pm AWST).
