PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Daniel Venables of the Eagles marks the ball against Bailey Fritsch of the Demons during the round 22 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has confirmed that premiership player Daniel Venables will miss the entire 2020 season with ongoing concussion effects.
Venables hasn't played since round nine last season after being concussed following a heavy collision with Melbourne's Tim Smith.
The Eagles continue to take a cautious approach with Venables, who even after returning to some training activities, is still suffering continual concussion symptoms.
āWeāve worked really hard with Dan to get him the best prep,ā Simpson said.
āHeās worked really hard, but he wonāt play for the rest of this year.
āItās a decision thatās been made with the docs. And hopefully we see him next year. Heās in good spirits.ā
After consulting a specialist in Melbourne, Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo said that the club and Venables decided to make the call that would see Venables miss the season.
āUnfortunately, after much consideration and following the medical advice, we have decided that the best course is for Dan to have the season off and not play this year,ā he said.
āIt is a decision that has not been taken lightly. Dan has put a lot of energy into getting himself ready to play as quickly as possible. Itās been frustrating for him, more particularly, and obviously the club.
āHe has thrown everything into the best rehab preparation in readiness for the season, but heās still symptomatic at the moment.
āGiven the type of injury this is - being the head injury - the best course of action following the specialistās advice is to have time out of the game.ā
Venables has played 21 games for the Eagles, which includes the club's thrilling 2018 grand final win over Collingwood.