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Eagle's early flight no stress for Simpson

3 minute read

West Coast forward Liam Ryan left a training camp earlier than expected but coach Adam Simpson is unconcerned.

LIAM RYAN of the Eagles is tackled by DARGY TUCKER of the Dockers during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at HBF Arena in Perth, Australia.
LIAM RYAN of the Eagles is tackled by DARGY TUCKER of the Dockers during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at HBF Arena in Perth, Australia. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images

West Coast premiership forward Liam Ryan didn't cope with the demands of a recent training camp, but Adam Simpson denies there was anything untoward about his early departure.

The Eagles put their first-year players through a gruelling three-day camp at Stirling Range National Park, about 400km south east of Perth, in November.

Ryan didn't cope with the experience as well as some, but Simpson dismissed reports he had walked out on the camp.

"If people are struggling we don't take it any further and Liam struggled," Simpson told reporters.

"It was a physical camp. He's pretty fit, he ran well (on Monday), but he didn't handle it too well at the back end so we pulled him out and we took him home.

"Nothing too sinister. From what I heard reported as well (it) was a bit different than what actually happened.

"It's not 1985. We're not here to break these guys. It was to test them physically and he didn't get through it, but that's OK.

"I'm not too stressed about that."

Ryan played 13 games in his first season with the club including the grand final triumph over Collingwood.

But it was a rocky road at times for the 22-year-old who lost his licence and was fined after he crashed his car while intoxicated in July.

He was also issued with a move on notice by WA Police following an incident a fortnight after the grand final.

While Ryan's early exit clearly wasn't ideal, Simpson had plenty to smile about as the whole group gathered for the first day of pre-season training.

The coach reported several personal best times were recorded in a two-kilometre time trial won by former Magpie Josh Smith.

And star ruckman Nic Naitanui is making strong gains in his recovery from the knee reconstruction he underwent after round 17 last season.

"Nic is going really well ... we're really pleased with his progression," the coach said.

"He's not too far away from joining in on the track and running around.

"... I don't want to jump the gun but I feel like he's definitely in front of the last knee (rehabilitation) that he did."

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