West Coast head coach Adam Simpson has labelled suggestions that his squad failed to heed public health warnings surrounding the severity of Covid-19 as "insulting".
With the 2018 premiership steward set to lead a side on Sunday afternoon that has had 13 changes - including 12 due to illness - forced upon it, there is no disguising the fact that the virus has run rampant throughout the Eagles' camp.
However, Simpson was not willing to concede that the litany of stars that are currently isolating as per the league's health and safety protocols were anything less than professional in their approach ahead of Round 2.
Speaking via 3AW radio waves, the 46-year-old took direct aim at veteran journalist Caroline Wilson who laid claims that AFL administrators were not best pleased with West Coast's reported conduct.
“That’s ridiculous. Someone mentioned 'Caro' might’ve said something, it’s just ridiculous,” Simpson stated emphatically.
“You follow everything you can possibly. You follow the government guidelines, which you probably have guessed it‘s pretty strict over here and we’re doing absolutely everything we can. We’re pretty much wearing masks 24/7, we separate ourselves in meetings.
“To suggest anything untoward, it’s insulting, really. I let that one go to the keeper because it was that ridiculous that I didn’t bother with it. I think Trevor (CEO Trevor Nisbett) might’ve followed up and gave some clarification.”
With Western Australia's 'iron curtain' only falling earlier this month, the previously serene and unaffected region is now no longer immune to the Covid chaos that has run rampant across the eastern states since 2020.
With cases rising in and around the Eagles' Lathlain base, Simpson continued to stress that his collective could not have approached the state's new reality anymore seriously.
“That’s definitely not been our intent (making light of the pandemic). In fact, it’s quite the opposite over here, it’s paranoia about it because it’s new and it’s only been in our state for probably three or four weeks,” the ex-Kangaroo said.
“You can imagine back in Victoria’s time when it first started, how much concern you had and a bit of uncertainly, we’re going through that now.”
Simpson will be without the services of Jake Waterman, Zac Langdon, Jack Redden, Josh Kennedy, Brady Hough, Isiah Winder, Jamaine Jones, Josh Rotham, Tom Barrass, Harry Edwards, Hugh Dixon and Nic Naitanui due to the throws of Covid.
Star midfielder Andrew Gaff will also miss the Eagles' date with the Roos due to injury.
Although the ilk of Liam Ryan, Tim Kelly, Liam Duggan, Alex Witherden, Luke Shuey and the previously vaccine-hesitant Jack Darling will provide senior respite on Sunday, a series of untested options will be thrown into the fire along with them.
Joining this aforementioned sextet in blue and gold will be Brayden Ainsworth and debutants Callum Jamieson, Jack Williams, Stefan Giro, Aaron Black and Angus Dewar.
Ainsworth, Giro and Dewar (formerly Litherland) make their AFL returns as top-up selections, having previously played for the Eagles, Dockers and Hawks respectively.
Despite the selection table scramble and the elevated likelihood of another loss in Melbourne, the makeshift outfit's outing, which is decidedly reminiscent of the decimated Dons' fixture from 2016, will be a must-watch event this weekend.
The opening bounce in West Coast's Round 2 clash with North Melbourne is scheduled for 1:10 pm AEDT at Marvel Stadium.
