West Coast are wrapping their arms around Reuben Ginbey to help him bounce back from committing the first off-field mistake of his AFL career.
Ginbey was charged with allegedly urinating in public at a music event on Saturday evening and failing to comply with WA Police directions by not giving his personal details.
The 20-year-old is due to appear in court this month.
Ginbey returned to pre-season training with his teammates on Thursday, and ruck Matt Flynn said the players were supporting the youngster.
"He made a bit of a mistake and the boys are going to throw their arms around him and support him as best as they can," Flynn told reporters on Thursday.
"It was unfortunate he put himself into that position. I'm sure he'll cop whatever comes his way.
"He's a great lad, so we'll support him and let him go into his 2025 and have another really good year."
West Coast revealed on Thursday that Rhett Bazzo had undergone surgery to repair a fractured bone in his right foot.
Bazzo suffered the injury before Christmas while completing his off-season program, but the Eagles hope the 21-game defender will be ready for the start of the AFL season.
Former No.1 draft pick Harley Reid has endured a slow start to the pre-season due to leg soreness, but he ran with the team upon their return from the Christmas break on Thursday.
With new coach Andrew McQualter now in charge, Flynn says the whole squad is on notice as they jostle for spots in the senior side.
The battle for the No.1 ruck berth shapes as an intriguing tussle between Flynn and Bailey Williams.
Flynn's first AFL campaign at West Coast didn't go to plan, with the 27-year-old suffering a serious hamstring injury on the eve of the season.
The former Giants ruck returned in round 13, but he looked underdone and played just four games before losing his spot and finishing the year in the WAFL.
Flynn, who says his body is now feeling good, is embracing his head-to-head battle with Williams.
"Every club it's always like that with the ruck positions. There's only one position for the both of us really," Flynn said.
"Maybe one might get swung forward here or there.
"Baz and I are really good mates, but there is a bit of competitive juice there with us.
"I'm not sure which way that's going to land or what the team structure is going to look like going forward. It's been a good battle so far."
Flynn said McQualter, a former assistant and caretaker coach at Richmond, wants him to perform a similar ruck role as Tigers big man Toby Nankervis.
