West Coast Eagles 2022: Handling of nightclub controversy reflects poorly on players and the club

It’s been diabolical.

But for me, the most disappointing thing I have observed in this most disappointing of seasons has been the club hanging out their own players to dry via a press release that reeked of emotion and lacked any form of support for them.

I won’t sit here and defend the players who were seen out at a popular Leederville night spot last weekend. Given the club’s Covid-19 predicament, it was a stupid and selfish decision to attend a nightclub.

Adam Simpson is understandably upset and the club is disappointed. But the public shaming of the players, and the club’s attempt to distance itself from them, was more embarrassing than any of the Eagles’ on-field performances this season.

Which is saying something.

On the scale of misdemeanours, attending a nightclub isn’t exactly high on the list, but given the context of the time, some form of disciplinary action was appropriate. That said, the “how” matters. Punish the players for their actions, sure, but let them know publicly you have their back.

What I read from the club was a sure-fire way to lose the players’ trust, something the club will need if it wants to rebound quickly from its current predicament. I have a lot of friends in the building, both as players and administrators, and the statement released by the club this week will do nothing to bring the parties together.

A comparison sprang to mind when I read it. Richmond faced an arguably more serious dilemma in 2020 when Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones disobeyed AFL mandates in a quarantine hub and engaged in a fight outside a Gold Coast nightclub.

Here’s an excerpt from Richmond’s statement at the time:

“These players made very poor decisions after consuming too much alcohol, choosing to leave the Club’s hub in the early hours of Friday morning, and in doing so potentially putting themselves, their teammates and the AFL season at risk.

“Their decision to attend a venue while outside the hub was also completely unacceptable, and in no way aligns with what we stand for as a Club. They have let down themselves, teammates, our members and supporters, our partners and the entire AFL industry.

“Yes, young people can make mistakes, but we expect better. There is absolutely no excuse for what took place. We do however recognise we need to support and educate them. They have learned a very hard lesson and we need to help them earn back the trust and respect of the Club.”

Compare that with the Eagles’ statement this week:

“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.

“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.

“At the earliest opportunity the club will meet with the players concerned.”

Both club statements admit the fault of the players. Both express disappointment at their actions. Only one shows support towards them – and thus begins the process of healing and rebuilding. Richmond, let’s not forget, won the flag in 2020.

The Eagles have clearly, deliberately sought to send a message to the players. Simpson’s quote was line-in-the-stand stuff. But no organisation, sporting or otherwise, can operate effectively when management and staff are pulling in different directions. I can’t see how the emotive language used in that statement, and the divide it places between itself and the players, does anything other than widen the chasm. And that helps no one.

I have no desire to sink the boot into my old club.

I love West Coast.

But I love the players more. Hanging your own players out to dry hasn’t been – and shouldn’t be – something that the Eagles are known for. All parties, club and players, would probably like to take back what has occurred publicly over the past week. But they can’t. That’s life.

It’s been a tough year to watch the Eagles. The club’s performance, injuries, vaccination holdouts, retirements and raging Covid-19 infections have all been difficult to digest.

Some of this has been understandable.

The Covid-19 situation in WA was inevitable. Mark McGowan couldn’t keep the borders shut forever. It’s our turn over here to experience what the east coast has for the last few years.

The team’s performance, accentuated by circumstance, is also not entirely surprising. The Eagles have been chasing the cup since losing the 2015 grand final. That season, West Coast and Fremantle finished top two on the AFL ladder. Since then, Fremantle haven’t played finals and have rebuilt their list through the draft, whereas the Eagles won a flag and continued the chase for more by adding players through trade and mature acquisitions.

Freo is now firing, the Eagles are floundering.

Some of the factors at play have clearly been out of West Coast’s control. The nightclub statement is not one of them. That, in my view, is entirely self-inflicted. Appropriate, commensurate disciplinary action can be achieved without tearing a club apart. It happens in footy all the time. But best practice would suggest a team works best when everyone is aboard the same bus, rather than some throwing others underneath it.

How the Eagles players and management respond will be fascinating.

Everything gets magnified in a two-team town when one is going well and the other isn’t. The Eagles have had their time in the spotlight and it’s now time to rebuild the list and rejuvenate the club.

Part of that process is learning. People make mistakes, players and officials, but what happens afterwards is often the most telling factor in how quickly a club can re-establish itself. I hope for all parties learn from the mistakes of the past week and a bit of love and care is shown to all involved.

After all, have you really ever lived in Perth if you haven’t been at Hip-E club when you shouldn’t have?