West Coast coach Adam Simpson says at least 12 players from Sunday's loss to Gold Coast have been ruled out this week due to the AFL's Health and Safety Protocols.
The Eagles are in the midst of a devastating COVID-19 outbreak, with either positive results or close-contact rulings stripping the team of their best players.
Josh Kennedy, Tom Barrass, Jack Redden, Zac Langdon and Isiah Winder were ruled out earlier this week and it's understood at least another seven players have been scratched.
Simpson fears there could be more players missing ahead of Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
The situation means West Coast will have to hand a series of debuts to young players on their list, as well as dip into their top-up players from the WAFL.
It means some players will put on a West Coast jersey on Sunday without ever having had a proper training session with the club.
The AFL have been steadfast in saying games will go ahead irrespective of COVID-19 outbreaks.
"There's no point crying about it, we've just got to get on with it," Simpson said.
