The East Perth Football Club has decided to end its WAFL partnership with the West Coast Eagles Football Club that has been in place for the last five years.

West Coast Eagles Chief Executive Officer Trevor Nisbett said East Perth had lodged a termination of agreement notice with the WAFC and the West Coast Eagles would now work with the WAFC and the AFL to find a way forward.

“The partnership has had its challenges, but has worked, in the main, for both clubs,” Mr Nisbett said.

“We will certainly leave the partnership on good terms and will now prepare for the future, as we work on the best model to help our players develop and perform to their optimum.

“We would like the WAFL presidents and their clubs to consider the West Coast Eagles having its own team in the WAFL competition as early as possible, which has always been the club’s preferred position.

“Our players have really enjoyed representing East Perth and their loyal band of supporters, but they will now need to adjust to a new model in the very near future.

“We will discuss with the WAFC the model that will work for us going forward, but having our players play together is paramount to their growth, development and progress as AFL players. We will be seeking to implement an adjusted model in the quickest possible timeframe.”