Relevant events for the week Wednesday 26 July 2023 - Tuesday 1 August 2023 (Prev|Next)
Wednesday 26 July[]
Thursday 27 July[]
West Coast named Elliot Yeo, Luke Edwards, Greg Clark, Callum Jamieson and Josh Rotham as potential inclusions to face North Melbourne, with Luke Shuey (hamstring) and Sam Petrevski-Seton (concussion) the only confirmed omissions. Key defenders Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and Tom Barrass had not passed their fitness tests, with the club later confirming Barrass, originally listed as a shoulder, had suffered a compressed fracture in his back that had ended his season.
On an eventful day, the club also denied media reports that an emergency board meeting had been held at Lathlain Park, publishing a statement that the event was actually a previously-arranged strategic lunch with commercial partners, and that representatives from some of those partners had been erroneously identified in the media article as board members.
Friday 28 July[]
Yeo was surprisingly left out when teams were reduced to 22, named as an emergency along with Clark, Jamieson and Rotham, although he was expected to be the sub as the club managed his latest return from injury. Edwards and the previous week's sub, Xavier O'Neill, were the only additions to the 22.
Carlton defeated Collingwood.
Saturday 29 July[]
GWS Giants narrowly beat Western Bulldogs, Fremantle upset Geelong, Gold Coast beat local rivals Brisbane, Sydney won a thriller over Essendon and Adelaide defeated Port Adelaide in the Showdown.
Sunday 30 July[]
West Coast finally ended their losing run, holding off fellow strugglers North Melbourne to record their second win for the year. With both sides coming into the game on 16-game losing streaks, the Eagles looked in control on a couple of occasions but each time North fought their way back. The home side led by 31 points at the final change but had to defend desperately as the Kangaroos stormed back within a kick.
In the day's other games, St Kilda beat Hawthorn and Melbourne defeated Richmond.
Monday 31 July[]
Tuesday 1 August[]
Premiership captain and games record holder Shannon Hurn announced that he would retire at the end of the season, after 19 years with the club.
In injury news, McGovern was expected to be available to face Essendon, listed as a test along with Zane Trew, who had suffered an adductor injury a week earlier in the WAFL. Luke Shuey (hamstring) and Jamaine Jones (ankle) were another week away.