West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett has defended veteran forward Jamie Cripps after he was pictured wearing a mask incorrectly while on a flight from Perth to Melbourne.
The Eagles and cross-town rivals Fremantle departed WA on a charter flight amid the COVID-19 outbreak during the week and eagle-eyed fans immediately spotted Cripps and Fremantle forward Matt Taberner with their masks not covering their noses.
WA premier Mark McGowan responded to the photo on social media by encouraging players from both sides to "wear their masks properly", but Nisbett downplayed the incident.
"The club understands that despite it being a momentary lapse, when a mask slid down the face of one of our players, we must set an example in this respect," he wrote in a club statement.
"I travelled with the team and other than when they were either eating or drinking, they abided by the protocols."
Nisbett added "that because it was a charter flight no members of the public were at risk".
"Players and staff from both West Coast and Fremantle were tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding," he said.
"Our staff and players abided by protocols and were very disciplined on the flight.
"The entire entourage was again tested on arrival in Melbourne and isolated until all had returned negative tests this morning."
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