Dockers fans can breathe a sigh of relief – former Eagles star Will Schofield is not strapping on the boots for a shock AFL comeback in this weekend’s western derby.

“It’s April Fool’s Gareth,” Schofield told host Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast, which had earlier broadcast the premiership player’s  mock return to the game in light of West Coast’s list woes with COVID protocols.

“How bloody good would it have been if I had been in the blue and gold this weekend against the Dockers, I tell you what.”

While Breakfast listeners were quick to note the date, many more on Twitter fell for the ruse, which suggested Schofield had used a loophole in the AFL’s top-up player rules for clubs affected by COVID to make a shock return in Sunday’s derby at Optus Stadium.

April Fools!

As much as I’d love to be running out for @WestCoastEagles this weekend, too many meat pies and cold beers to make that happen.

Thanks to everyone who played along

Catch me over @backchat__ 💪🏻
@6pr @foxfooty @DrewJonesFOX @FootyRhino @G_Parker#AprilFoolsDay pic.twitter.com/yJDg3Hpowm

— Will Schofield (@WillSchofield) April 1, 2022

How we reported the April Fool’s Day joke

Schofield, 33, who has forged a career in the media – including at radio 6PR – since retiring in 2020, has been training in secret and will greatly aid an Eagles side in dire need of players with experience, after the club was forced to blood six debutants last Sunday against North Melbourne in the wake of 14 team changes, mostly due to the league’s health and safety protocols around COVID.

The news of the premiership Eagle’s return was first mooted by Golden Fist on 6PR Breakfast’s daily ‘John Hughes Rumour File’ segment on Thursday.

In a further blow to the club, which has started the 2022 season with two losses, captain Luke Shuey and playmaker Willie Rioli will miss the derby (no joke) with Fremantle due to COVID protocols, in a clash critical to both clubs, even this early in the season.

Fremantle itself is missing David Mundy due to the league regulations, as well as coach Justin Longmuir (also not a gag), paving the way for Dockers assistant Jaymie Graham to coach the port club, becoming the first person to take the reins of both WA clubs after filling in for Eagles coach Adam Simpson in 2018.

Press PLAY below to hear the Schofield ruse earlier on 6PR Breakfast.