West Coast CEO Trevor Nisbett hopes Jack Darling clears the air with the club’s supporters over his seven-week absence and says player morale was improving after the star forward’s recent COVID vaccination and return to the club.

The Eagles boss joined Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast to discuss West Coast’s season prospects ahead of the club’s AFL season-opener on Sunday at Optus Stadium with Gold Coast.

“Whether we like it or not it is a distraction, and was a distraction… the explanation [from Darling] can’t be as explicit as some of our members and supporters would like, and each individual has certain rights and we respect those,” he said.

“That will be up to Jack. Once he’s very clear on the direction he is going with in his personal life and also a player, he’ll hopefully be able to explain to people why he took that stance.”

Nisbett said it was “hard to say” if Darling’s position had hurt the veteran forward’s relationship with people and players at the club.

“I think our players have been totally respectable in this matter… it is difficult, there are difficult conversations to have,” he said.

“Fortunately after a week of training, things seem to have settled very quickly and the guys are very focused on what they need to do on Sunday.”

Press PLAY below to hear Nisbett’s full chat with Gareth on Breakfast: