The West Coast Eagles have been hit by more players and staff entering AFL Health and Safety protocols, including senior coach Adam Simpson.

With Simpson unable to accompany the team to Brisbane for Saturday night’s fixture against Brisbane at the Gabba, the coaching duties for this match will fall to experienced coach Matthew Knights.

The former Essendon senior coach and long-time Geelong assistant will take the reins of a squad that again has a long list of players unavailable.

The club has eight staff and players – including Greg Clark who made an impressive debut last week – currently in AFL Health and Safety protocols.

Eagles Football Manager Gavin Bell said the club’s situation has meant that for the second time this year it will require assistance from its Covid Contingency List to field a team against second-placed Brisbane.

“As it stands we have 22 available AFL-listed players with the remainder either injured or in AFL Health and Safety Protocols,” Bell said. “With Adam also being unable to coach this weekend, it is clearly unprecedented times.

“We have been working hard with the players on COVID Contingency List and it is likely several of them will be a part of the travelling party.

“Our club would again like to thank and acknowledge the understanding of the WAFL competition and the clubs whose players will help us take the field against the Lions. The WAFL clubs and players have been remarkably supportive through this challenging period.

“While our club has hit hard in terms of availability, we will roll up our sleeves and get on with the task of doing our absolute best against one of the competition’s leading contenders.”

The situation with the sparse level of player availability has seen the club’s WAFL fixture against East Fremantle, scheduled for Saturday at the WACA Ground, postponed.