Gun West Coast Eagles midfielder Andrew Gaff says his teammates are eager to get their 2020 campaign underway against Melbourne on Sunday.
Speaking to 6PR’s Sportsday WA team last night, the two-time all-Australian said the Eagles were readying themselves for a battle with the Demons at Optus Stadium.
However, he acknowledged that a call on whether or not round one would proceed this week was out of the players’ hands.
The AFL is expected to make an announcement regarding the start of the season later today.
“On the whole guys are happy to play as long as it’s not risking our own health and safety or risking the health and safety of our parents, families and obviously close friends as well,” Gaff said.
“Who knows what’s going to happen in an hour’s time or in two days’ time, but we are all keen (to play). We’ve done so much work over so many months now.
“If we do play we are ready to play Melbourne. I know they are ready to play as well hearing Max Gawn speak (yesterday). Hopefully we can play.”
The 27-year-old said West Coast’s list was in a good spot ahead of its scheduled season opener.
With the exception of premiership defender Tom Cole (thumb), small forward Jarrod Cameron (pubic bone) and emerging defender Luke Foley (pubic bone), the Eagles have a clean bill of health heading into round one.
“Everyone’s good. Jack (Darling) will be out there. We basically had another instraclub practice match on Friday and he played every minute of that,” Gaff said.
“(We got) another week into McGovern, who played a half against Freo the other week and played a full game with us on Friday, so he’ll be fine.
“We’ve had guys who have been able to do a lot of stuff, the old guys are still going well. JK (Josh Kennedy) is going well and Nic (Naitanui) has had his best pre-season for his whole career.
“We feel like we’re in a good spot to play a team that’s looking to bounce back from last year.
“They’ve got guys that are playing really well. (Christian) Petracca has had a pretty good pre-season and we know how good Gawn and these guys are.
“We’ve got a pretty good, healthy rivalry with Melbourne over the last few years and even though there won’t be a crowd it’s going to be on.”