So much has changed since my last note to you, while so much has unfortunately remained the same – thanks to COVID-19.

Western Australia has remained at Phase 4 on WA’s roadmap to relax COVID-19 restrictions, and we have been very fortunate to have played three matches (so far) at home at Optus Stadium, in front of some very loud and proud West Coast Eagles members and supporters.

I don’t think I can stress enough how much it has meant to the players to have that support behind them; particularly against Geelong, the crowd of more than 26,000 sounded like double that number, and helped lift the boys to a well-earned victory.

At the moment, we have two more matches scheduled in Perth – against Hawthorn this Sunday, and then the GWS Giants the following Sunday.

Beyond that, we are scheduled to return to Queensland to play our next batch of fixtures, starting with Richmond and then Essendon at Metricon Stadium.

While we had hoped that the COVID-19 statistics in Perth would be a strong enough argument for us staying at home in Perth longer, unfortunately it wasn’t to be. We’re still hopeful that there will be some finals action here in Western Australia…if not perhaps a grand final.

Unfortunately for our club, and our members who are enjoying live football at the moment, round 13 against GWS Giants could be the last of it in Perth for 2020.

So, while I completely understand that some members still have some trepidation about attending matches, or the Sunday afternoon times are a bit difficult to work with, I really encourage our Western Australian members and supporters to get along to the next two matches if you are able to, and send the boys off to Queensland with a couple more wins under their belts.

The member windows for this week’s match have ended, but there are still tickets available on Ticketmaster for purchase.

If you can’t make it to Optus Stadium for whatever reason, we’d love for you to continue to loudly and proudly show your support in front of the television screen and on social media.

Everyone at the club is particularly thinking of, and feeling for, our members in Victoria who are in lockdown, as well as all of the health care workers and other frontline personnel fighting the good fight.

We’re all hoping that the current lockdown has the desired effect of stifling the latest wave of infections and we can all cautiously start to live more normal lives again.

That will still take ongoing effort from all of us to be vigilant regarding hygiene and distancing requirements, and to take personal responsibility for our own role in this fight.

As our great friend Neale Daniher posted on social media recently, "Freedom and rights comes with responsibilities…Together we will get it done."

Please stay safe and take care of yourself, your family and your community.

Stay well, and go Eagles!

Kind regards,

Trevor Nisbett
Chief Executive