The AFL has a case to answer for denying West Coast the chance to train on the MCG before Sunday’s clash with Collingwood, according to the West Australian chief football writer Mark Duffield and the Sunday Times sports editor Glen Quartermain.

League bosses assured non-Victorian clubs they would have more opportunities to adapt to the MCG before games there, as part of negotiations to keep the AFL Grand Final at the venue until at least 2057.

But things have become complicated for the Eagles, with an MCG clash between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs the day before the Collingwood fixture hurting the WA side’s chance of training there.

An MCG spokesman said West Coast would have difficulty gaining approval for a captain’s run on a match day, with Adam Simpson confirming the club would train at Punt Road Oval instead.

Speaking on the latest edition of the Duff and Quarters podcast, Duffield and Quartermain struggled to comprehend the AFL’s logic.

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“To be fair, I just can’t see how a training session early on Saturday morning will do any harm,” Quartermain said.

LISTEN TO THE MCG CHAT FROM THE 3:10 MARK OF THE PODCAST ABOVE

“No, it doesn’t do any harm at all – it’s a load of rubbish,” Duffield said.

“It’s an excuse and, really, it should’ve been absolutely written in concrete when that Grand Final contract – that lousy, stinking, unfair Grand Final contract – was issued.

Camera Icon The Eagles got a win on the MCG turf earlier this season - but can’t train there this week. Credit: Getty Images

“It should’ve been written in concrete that interstate clubs playing at the MCG got to train on it in the lead up to any game and probably, if they wanted to, twice before any final as well.

“Beware of AFL administrators bearing gifts, people, because that was part of the trade-off with the new MCG Grand Final contract and guess what? They didn’t deliver. They promise, but they don’t deliver.”

The pair also discuss West Coast’s win, Adam Cerra’s rising star nomination and the good fortunes of Gold Coast captain Steven May.

Episode rundown:

How did West Coast grind out a win over GWS? (1:15)

Why the Eagles can't train on the MCG (3:10)

The good (and bad) of Willie Rioli (5:08)

What's letting down Fremantle's midfield? (6:28)

Has Sydney erred by playing an unfit Dan Hannebery? (8:29)

Which injured players are the Eagles likely to get back this week (22:02)

The 50m protected zone rule (22:43)