The West Coast Eagles are in crisis mode just 48 hours out from their Round 2 clash with North Melbourne, with as many as 12 players expected to be ruled out of the clash.
The crisis is so bad that the club have delayed flying to Melbourne by a day to work out who won't be available for the game, with senior coach Adam Simpson revealing on Friday 12 players from their Round 1 defeat won't be available for this weekend.
Star forward Josh Kennedy was ruled out of the game on Thursday, along with Tom Barrass, Jack Redden, Zac Langdon and Isiah Winder, while Josh Rotham joined the quintet by testing positive on Friday.
That number could be higher, with a dozen players set to miss either through injury or health and safety protocols.
"I think we've got 12 from last week's game that will be unavailable."
Adam Simpson on players entering Health and Safety protocols
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) March 25, 2022
Simpson revealed the club will only have 17-18 AFL-listed players at his disposal given the influx in case numbers and close contacts.
The Eagles have been able to welcome back Liam Ryan and Tim Kelly from the AFL's health and safety protocols, with the star pair having missed their side's opening round loss to the Gold Coast.
Forward Jack Darling, defender Alex Witherden and captain Luke Shuey were confirmed as inclusions for Sunday's match at Marvel Stadium when teams were announced on Thursday night.
Simpson confirmed debutants for their Round 2 bout with the Kangaroos, however the coach was reluctant to name any first gamers given the unprecedented circumstances.
The Eagles will heavily rely on top-up players for this weekend, with the club understood to be contacting WAFL clubs and players listed on their COVID contingency plan.
"We've only had three players train with us, so yes, more than likely."
Adam Simpson on players that have never trained with the club are playing for the club on Sunday.
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) March 25, 2022
WEST COAST'S TOP-UP LIST:
| WCE | Ryan Ambrose | West Coast WAFL |
| WCE | Joey Deegan | West Coast WAFL |
| WCE | Zane Sumich | West Coast WAFL |
| WCE | Logan Young | West Coast WAFL |
| WCE | Damon Greaves | East Perth |
| WCE | Angus Schumacher | East Perth |
| WCE | Brayden Ainsworth | Perth |
| WCE | Corey Byrne | Perth |
| WCE | Angus Dewar | Subiaco |
| WCE | Stefan Giro | Subiaco |
| WCE | Sam Fisher | Swan Districts |
| WCE | Tobe Watson | Swan Districts |
| WCE | Steven Miller | Claremont |
| WCE | Aaron Black | West Perth |
| WCE | Tom Blechynden | South Fremantle |
| WCE | Jackson Ramsay | East Perth |
| WCE | Declan Mountford | Claremont |
| WCE | Luke Meadows | West Perth |
| WCE | Jake Florenca | South Fremantle |
| WCE | Chad Pearson | South Fremantle |
