West Coast defender Brady Hough says Jamie Cripps’ axing shows Eagles that nobody is safe

West Coast defender Brady Hough says Jamie Cripps’ axing is a warning that no one is safe at the Eagles, no matter their name or reputation. Cripps became the latest senior player to find themselves in the WAFL during coach Andrew McQualter’s short tenure, following Tim Kelly, Tom Cole and Matt Flynn, who have all been dropped in the past 18 months. The 34-year-old will now play his first game in the state league since 2014 on Sunday afternoon, while his teammates take on St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. Hough backed Cripps to return but said his omission had put players on notice that there were others in the wings ready to take their spot. “Nobody’s safe. If you’re not playing your role or giving 100 per cent effort, there’s somebody waiting to come into the side,” he said. “Crippa will bounce back for sure. He’s such a good player for us; he knows the game plan so well, he’s such a hard worker, so I am sure he will be back soon. “It’s good to have pressure on our spots, boys performing well in the WAFL is putting pressure on us AFL players, and it’s good to have that at the footy club. “We need to be performing as well as we can and playing our role for the team; that pressure is there.” It comes as Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan finds himself under fire from fans, who are calling for him to be dropped after a recent form slump. Duggan had six turnovers from 21 disposals in last weekend’s western derby, including three in a horror third quarter that drew the ire of supporters. Hough defended the premiership backman and said he was an excellent leader and his experience was invaluable to the Eagles’ young defence. “He’s been leading us down back really well. He’s such a strong on-field leader and off the field,” he said. “There’s been a bit of criticism come his way, but he seems fine around the club, he’s still getting around us boys, he’s still leading from the front, and we’re all listening still because he’s such a smart player. He’s been defending well. “I’ve seen a little bit of criticism going his way, but the way he defends and helps us younger boys down back, he’s very valuable for us.” West Coast also got creative this week around their training schedule as they tried to end a three-match losing streak, which has dented the optimism around their promising start to 2026. On Friday, they held a main training session only hours before they flew to Melbourne for the first time to get an extra session in. Hough said the extra run would benefit them in their game against the highly-favoured Saints. “It was the first time I’ve done it. I enjoyed. It was good to get another solid session in before we headed over here,” he said. “It means we get two main (training) sessions in before we play. I enjoyed it, the body is feeling good. “We get more contest in and match simulation in before we play the Saints. I enjoyed it, and I think it will be great for the preparation for our game.”