The West Coast Eagles are still in shock following the death of a player’s mother in a boating accident.
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson says the club is still in shock following Rhett Bazzo’s mother’s untimely death.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson says his young defender Rhett Bazzo will be given as much time to grieve as he needs following the death of his mother in Perth.
Kylie Bazzo, 52, was killed over the weekend after falling overboard during a boat crash in Mandurah. Simpson said the levels of shock felt through the club were considerable.
Bazzo, 19, also lost his father, decorated WAFL player Steve Bazzo, to cancer in 2015 and the club has determined to throw its arms round the teenager and give him as much support as possible.
“It’s come as quite a shock to Rhett and his family,” Simpson said on Wednesday.
“They’re dealing with that grief at the moment and the club is supporting them.
“We will give him as much time as he needs with his family. Football is not the priority right now for him.”
Simpson said the whole club had been shaken by the incident and returning to the normal work of pre-season training had been something all players and staff had to try to deal with.
“You know, because of the tragic nature and the shock, the Monday was difficult,” Simpson said.
“So we had to adjust that and provide a little bit of support for the players as well as our staff. We got through the day.
“We will play a bit of a scratch match today and we’ll keep moving forward, but understand that the sensitivity around it always is with our players as well.”
Tributes poured in from the WA football community for Ms Bazzo, who became the first female CEO in the WAFL in 2000 when she took over the role at Peel Thunder.
Rhett Bazzo played nine AFL games in 2022 after making his debut in Round 14.
