West Coast have denied Jack Darling is up for trade, calling speculation about the premiership forward “completely unfounded and untrue”.
The Eagles took the unusual approach of taking to social media on Saturday to call out rumours about Darling, as well as Elliot Yeo and Liam Duggan.
Darling had been rumoured to be of interest to fellow strugglers North Melbourne, but Yeo and Duggan had not been widely brought up.
A report in The West Australian on Saturday claimed the Eagles had made Darling available for trade.
“Media speculation about the club discussing trades involving Elliot Yeo, Jack Darling and Liam Duggan are completely unfounded & untrue,” the post by the Eagles on X, formerly Twitter, read.
It was a busy Saturday for West Coast, who completed a trade for wantaway Hawthorn forward Tyler Brockman.
The Eagles gave up picks 44 and 63 in the draft for the talented 20-year-old, who played 26 games across three seasons for the Hawks.
“Having become a father to beautiful twin girls, his desire to move his young children and partner back home to be with family in Perth is an understandable one,” Hawks list boss Mark McKenzie said.
“Whilst we know Tyler has enjoyed and felt supported during his time at Hawthorn, and we would have loved to see him continue his career here, we respected his desire to be traded.”
After collecting just the second wooden spoon in their history, West Coast hold the prized No.1 pick in the draft.
Harley Reid, widely considered the best player in this year’s draft, this week laughed off the latest report that he doesn’t want to move to Perth.
“To all the West Coast people listening, I don’t know how many times I have to say it or how much clearer I can be, but I’m happy to go to the Eagles,” Reid told SEN WA.
“Everything over there seems like it’s a great opportunity and good experience obviously with what Perth has to bring.”
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Well, what is it?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
C'mon, let us in on the humour mrl.
Frodo
Roar Rookie
What about the 4th quarter?
mrl
Roar Rookie
AFL is funny.
WCE
Roar Rookie
Absolutely spot on there
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
As an Eagles supporter, I knew there was no truth in this report. The current football management team is more likely to do nothing than try to develop any trade options. Their MO is to respond to initiatives from other clubs or players (like Brockman). Absolutely no effort was put into securing draft picks from clubs that were interested in trading high picks for points. Neither is there any real involvement in recruiting players from other clubs. Missing Devon Robertson and Bobby Hill is indicative of the off-field malaise at my club!
Frodo
Roar Rookie
Not a favourite of fans 'over east' either.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Absolutely & was always a fan of No.9 a wild onion at heart & a great player for your club. :thumbup:
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Says who. Watch the 3rd quarter of '18 and not have him as a favourite.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Way unders for Brockman. Will be a star...
DTM
Roar Rookie
Any players from your club had drug problems? Of course not. You're talking about a player who left West Coast 16 years ago. What about players still in the best 22 of certain clubs (including Victorian clubs) who have been actually caught doing drugs?
DTM
Roar Rookie
More likely it was started by a WC supporter out of hope - he is not a favourite of the fans.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Harley Reid will play for WCE & good luck to the young man. Wear No.9 guernsey with Pride. Swim across the Swan River with purpose. Happy Days :stoked:
Frodo
Roar Rookie
What makes you think the rumour 'started over east'? The first report of said rumour was in The West Australian. Your hang up about 'the east' is silly and childish. Seek help.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The craziest thing about these silly rumours started over east is that the AFLmedia industry reports it as a possibility without any checking. Just logically, Darling and his wife are entrenched in the Perth social scene and its wider family lifestyle, he gets $800K for 2 more years and has just over 20 games to get to 300. He only has a handful of goals to go past Peter Sumich to be behind only Josh Kennedy as their second leading goal kicker. He'll want to be a part of their resurgence. What club was going to pay him $800K for 2 more years at his age and in his current form? All this, hoping it will get WC to give up #1 draft pick and pay part of his salary. Good grief! And editors publish the social media "fact".