PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Greg Clark of the Eagles warms up during the round seven AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium on April 29, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Footy fans and league officials seemingly have something in common this season, they're all growing tired of late outs, health and safety protocols, and the increasingly relevant discussion around fairness and integrity.

With West Coast having just 21 available listed players to choose from ahead of their Round 8 clash with Brisbane, and crosstown rivals Fremantle having six players forced into health and safety protocols last week alone, it's no secret that some clubs are bearing the brunt of the AFL's COVID rules more than others.

The lead-up to West Coast's trip to Brisbane was dominated by the discussion on whether or not the match should go ahead, with the Eagles forced to call up players to field a side, while Brisbane, who currently comfortably sit in the top four, readied themselves for what many predicted would be a bloodbath.

The 75-point Lions win went as expected, with the prime time match looking done before the siren for halftime could sound, furthering calls that the game should have been cancelled or postponed to make it a more even contest for the Eagles.

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt became the strongest voice from a current player during the week to support the postponing of the Eagles vs Brisbane clash, making the comments during an appearance on AFL360. 

“I reckon they're beyond it (the precipice) at the moment. That injury list there and Covid protocol list. It‘s unfair,” Riewoldt said.

“I think they should (postpone the game). It's not to their detriment - the reason they're in this situation is because their government held different border restrictions to the rest of Australia.

“They've got four blokes that they are going to call from WAFL - not only is it affecting the AFL but then the teams that they're picking from the Western Australian Football League is affected too.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Patrick Naish of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 04 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on April 09, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Riewoldt put the situation into a greater perspective, explaining the advantage that playing an undermanned side can have on a team's finals chances.

“Let‘s say Brisbane play about half a West Coast side and have a big win - we gained 20% last week. That's massive,” Riewoldt added.

“You play West Coast twice this year, a depleted West Coast, which is nothing to do with them, then you're getting 40%, that's huge when finals rolls around.”

SEE MORE: Riewoldt calls on AFL to postpone West Coast game

Riewoldt's point is clear, and frankly, undeniable. Teams, like Brisbane, coming up against a side so heavily compromised do have a greater chance at extending their winning margin and adding on percentage points, an invaluable thing come finals time.

But the AFL never said this year would be fair. In fact, they warned clubs and fans alike about the grave reality facing the competition in this new reality.

It's clear that integrity has been the buzz word around the COVID conversation, with some pundits complaining that a lack of choice at the selection table and the introduction of reserves players at such short notice is putting teams at a distinct disadvantage before the ball is even bounced on gameday.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Will Brodie of the Dockers breaks past Xavier O'Neill of the Eagles during an AFL practice match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Mineral Resources Park on February 25, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

That argument is irrefutable and while it may not be fair for teams struggling through the worst of it, the reality of the situation is that there really isn't a better alternative.

To combat that suggestion of just postponing games until a better time presents itself to uphold the integrity of the competition, let's have a look at another national competition... the A-League.

The A-League started their season when most of the east coast was experiencing a COVID peak and immediately ran into a horde of issues.

When the time of kick-off in Round 1 rolled around, league bosses didn't have a distinct COVID policy in place, there were no guarantees or assurances that games would go ahead, and teams found themselves at the mercy of an ever-changing day-by-day situation, not one ruled by a meticulous fixture.

Mass postponements in the opening month set the tone for the rest of the season, forcing the league to begin scheduling weekday matches, with some clubs suddenly finding themselves playing two matches a week.

Chaos ensued for clubs, broadcasters and fans alike, with the A-League reporting their lowest ever crowd figures (5,327 average attendance per game) since the competition began in 2005.

With finals approaching, clubs are trying to rapidly make up those early lost games. Saturday night's Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory match was originally scheduled for Round 19, and finally completed just as most of the league settled into their Round 26 fixtures, except Macarthur and Western Sydney who finally got their chance to play their January scheduled match on Sunday.

In a professional league, conditioning, rest days and meticulous planning are necessary. While the A-League thought they had no other alternative all those months ago other than trying to level the playing field, they've actually ended up compromising the competition even more on the eve of finals as clubs scramble to make up lost time.

At the time, undoubtedly, the A-League would have thought that course of action was the most reasonable and would back it in the public sphere but privately, one wonders that they might just want their time again. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and luckily for the AFL, the considerate folks at the A-League have seemingly served up a platter of 'what not to do' as the pointy end of their fixture comes to a head.

Things might not be fair right now for West Coast, nor Fremantle, or any other team throughout the season who will find themselves in the same place. But the AFL chose their course of action months ago, treating COVID absences as anything other than something on the injury list would be a greater compromise to the integrity of the competition eight rounds in than the Eagles heading east with an established WAFL top-up pool.