West Coast are heading in the direction of one other wasted season
It has been one other lengthy, disappointing season for the West Coast Eagles.
With only one win to their title and 5 video games left within the season, the Eagles don’t appear like making a finals run anytime quickly. It leaves many pissed off supporters like myself questioning: what’s going improper?
It’s protected to say the Eagles have proven indicators of enchancment this 12 months, with names like Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Brady Hough and low season recruit Liam Baker stepping up and delivering some promising performances. The Eagles have additionally been way more aggressive, main at half time on six events and staying in video games late.
Nevertheless, their incapacity to attain constantly throughout 4 quarters has value them dearly. This stems from a scarcity of talent and execution, poor aim kicking, restricted health, and gamers who merely aren’t as much as AFL normal.
First-year coach Andrew McQualter can be determined to make main low season modifications to keep away from one other stagnant season in 2026.
Recruiting: Expertise should are available in, quick
It’s fairly clear that the present West Coast squad lacks each top-end expertise and skilled depth. The Eagles should go huge this low season to herald high quality and help the rise of Harley Reid.
On Sunday, it was revealed that Reid’s administration approached the membership a few long-term deal – roughly $20 million over 10 years. If Reid chooses to remain out west, it is going to tremendously increase their premiership hopes in years to come back.
Nevertheless, McQualter admitted that Reid was ‘carrying’ the midfield and emphasised the necessity to herald one other A-grade midfielder to take strain off the 20-year-old.
The backline has additionally been a evident weak spot this 12 months. Tom Barrass requested a commerce to Hawthorn final season, and 5x All-Australian and 2024 John Worsfold Medalist Jeremy McGovern was pressured into retirement attributable to concussions. Bringing in a key defender or two would assist stem the bleeding from opposition assaults.
There are positives, although: Harry Edwards and Reuben Ginbey have loved breakout seasons and now look to be foundational pillars for the Eagles’ future protection.
Some names linked to West Coast embrace Essendon’s 2022 first-round choose Elijah Tsatas, who’s out of contract and struggling to interrupt into the Bombers’ injury-hit facet. The 20-year-old has performed simply 5 AFL video games this season – a significant concern in his improvement.
Tsatas might provide a much-needed injection of velocity and talent right into a midfield that has misplaced the likes of Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden, and an injury-prone Elliot Yeo.
Different names reportedly on the radar embrace Will Phillips (North Melbourne), Deven Robertson (Brisbane), and Neil Erasmus (Fremantle).
Harley Reid celebrates a aim. (Picture by Will Russell/AFL Photographs through Getty Pictures)
Record Adjustments: Huge calls loom
The Eagles have already made two checklist modifications this season, with McGovern retiring and 2018 premiership hero Dom Sheed additionally calling time. 11 gamers stay out of contract heading into the low season, and it’s seemingly a number of can be delisted.
Jamie Cripps, who celebrated his 250th sport in final weekend’s loss to Port Adelaide, is a type of gamers. Anticipate the membership to re-sign him for not less than yet another 12 months, bringing useful expertise to the youthful ahead line.
Jayden Hunt, nevertheless, has been dropped to the WAFL facet in latest weeks. With no assure of a senior choice, a free agent transfer again residence to Victoria might be on the playing cards. Defender Tom Cole’s future can also be in uncertainty, however his management and flexibility make him a useful re-signing.
Probably the most important low season storyline revolves round star key ahead Oscar Allen, who seems virtually sure to request a commerce east after injuring his leg towards Carlton in Spherical 14. If that occurs, the Eagles would obtain Choose 2 as compensation — a bittersweet outcome that provides to their drafting place.
Different out-of-contract names embrace Callum Jamieson, Campbell Chesser, Coen Livingstone, Jack Petruccelle, Jacob Newton, Lach Rawlinson and Rhett Bazzo.
Coaching intent: It begins with requirements
The Eagles’ lack of polish on sport day may be traced again to their coaching depth – or lack thereof. Because the previous saying goes: “You play such as you prepare.”
Karl Langdon on Perth’s 6PR didn’t maintain again after the Eagles’ embarrassing loss to Richmond on Saturday night time, stating he had seen their coaching periods and that their intent was “nowhere close to” skilled requirements.
“They allow them to get away with it,” he stated when talking about talent points, including that primary execution has been appalling.
West Coast averages over 64 turnovers per sport – about common throughout the league – however their turnovers are coming on the worst doable occasions.
Take the top of the primary half towards Richmond: Ryan Maric despatched a lazy backward kick that missed its goal, and Harley Reid selected to bump earlier than going for the ball. Jacob Hopper pounced and kicked a momentum-swinging aim with below a minute to go, giving the Tigers a nine-point lead heading into the second half.
The third quarter? Richmond piled on six targets from turnovers. If the Eagles don’t clear up these unforced errors – errors that wouldn’t be accepted in junior footy – they’ll proceed to be the competitors’s laughing inventory for a few years to come back.
Whereas 2025 has been one other robust 12 months for the blue and gold, it isn’t all misplaced. There’s a transparent blueprint forward: recruit good, make robust checklist calls, and lift coaching requirements.
With Reid main a rising midfield core with a doable contract extension on the horizon, Baker offering spark, and younger defenders standing up, the constructing blocks are already there.
The membership has money to spend, picks to commerce, and a clear slate below McQualter’s management.
In the event that they get this low season proper, the Eagles received’t simply enhance, they’ll begin the lengthy flight again to the place they belong and the place they’ve been for therefore a few years: a powerhouse of the AFL.
