Craig O’Donoghue: West Coast star Jack Darling’s anti-vax stance must have Adam Simpson tearing his hair out

If I was West Coast coach Adam Simpson today, I would be absolutely filthy with Jack Darling. To lose a healthy key forward in the prime years because he is refusing to get vaccinated should be enough to drive Simpson crazy. This is after he just got Willie Rioli back from a two-year suspension. He’s already lost All-Australian defender Brad Sheppard from last season after concussion forced him into retirement. That followed premiership forward Dan Venables also retiring due to concussion. Simpson’s had a pre-season where Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan and Liam Duggan and Elliot Yeo have regularly been absent from training, while today Nic Naitanui, Oscar Allen and Tim Kelly were not training with the main group. Darling has been a prominent part of the club’s pre-season plans, including one week ago during match simulation training when he was holding down the key forward position and kicking multiple goals. Now, Simpson has to re-structure the forward line without having any solid information about when or if Darling will be back. And if he changes his mind, gets vaxed and does return, what will the dynamic be between him and his teammates? Chemistry is vital. There are so many unknowns. But what we do know if life is about to get very difficult for Jack Darling – both the person and the athlete. The club says he will continue training by himself. But, as of January 31, his status as a non-vaccinated West Australian means he won’t be allowed to enter a gym, fitness centre or health studio. That will have an impact on his ability to remain in the required shape for a professional athlete. Forget about the AFL’s February 18 date for double vaxing. The State Government’s stance about January 31 is a bigger athletic issue. There has been speculation that Darling is waiting on Novavax. But that is still several weeks away from being available and it also requires three weeks between jabs. West Coast’s first pre-season game is on March 6. Their first home and away game is on March 20. Those dates will roll around fast. Liam Jones’ retirement at Carlton was a savage blow to the Blues. But that was final. Carlton could plan and they’re not a premiership chance. Jed Anderson’s hesitancy to get a second jab at North Melbourne comes at a time when the Roos are re-building. West Coast are desperately chasing another crack at a flag before this group gets too old. Yet they officially learn that Darling isn’t getting vaxed now. The Eagles are refusing to say anything publicly today. We can only imagine what they’re saying privately.

Craig O’Donoghue: West Coast star Jack Darling’s anti-vax stance must have Adam Simpson tearing his hair out

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