West Coast Eagles to deny AFLW draftees the chance to play in the WAFLW grand final after email to clubs

West Coast will deny AFLW draftees the chance to play in the 2022 WAFLW grand final if their club qualifies for the decider. The AFLW national draft is scheduled for Wednesday next week followed three days later by the WAFLW grand final on Saturday. In an email sent to WAFLW finalists on Thursday afternoon, WA Football Commission executive manager of WAFL and talent Scott Baker informed clubs that “any player they (the Eagles) select in the AFLW Draft and is scheduled to play in the WAFLW Grand Final that week will be made unavailable for selection by West Coast.” East Fremantle have already qualified for the grand final and are frustrated by the decision, while one of Claremont and Swan Districts will join them in the decider pending the result of Sunday’s preliminary final. Fremantle will permit draftees to play so long as they pass a medical assessment before the grand final. It’s understood the WAFC has been seeking clarity on West Coast’s position for the past month only to be told verbally by the Eagles on Thursday that drafted players would be barred from selection, a position that was then communicated in writing to clubs. In an email to The West Australian, West Coast head of women’s football Michelle Cowan said the club would discuss their draftee’s “preferred position” after the draft but “reserve the right to make a final decision.” The Eagles also believe they made their position clear to clubs earlier this month, writing “it should not come as a surprise to any of the WAFLW clubs or the WA Football Commission” that players are expected to join West Coast’s AFLW program immediately. WAFLW clubs have disputed this, claiming West Coast’s position on draftees playing in the grand final hasn’t been clear until now. West Coast also asked the WAFC to bring the WAFLW grand final forward to Tuesday, a request that threatened the integrity of the finals series and was quickly shut down. “We understand West Coast’s position and the fact how challenging it’s been with the AFLW season being shifted forward to August,” WAFC talent manager Baker said. “We want our best players playing in the WAFLW competition. But we understand they’ve got other objectives and hopefully, it’s a one-off decision this year.” More than 80 players have nominated for the Western Australian AFLW draft pool. West Coast hold 10 draft picks while Fremantle have three selections. The Eagles have already pre-signed three of the WAFLW’s best players as part of a draft concessions package for claiming the wooden spoon. Reigning Dhara Kerr medallist and Claremont co-captain Ella Smith, her teammate Sasha Goranova and league leading goal kicker Kate Bartlett were all signed by West Coast earlier this month, ruling them out of the remainder of the WAFLW season. While acknowledging their role as talent developers, clubs have expressed frustration in the lack of reward they receive for fostering the next generation of AFLW stars.