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West Coast went into the trade period in the invidious position of needing to improve its list and invest in youth but without holding a strong draft hand that would allow it to do so.
After trading in young midfielder Brendon Ah Chee from Port Adelaide, the Eagles performed what was one of the more surprising moves of the trade period – swapping their 2018 first-rounder for a swag of 2017 second-round picks from Gold Coast.
This was a bold – some may say ‘foolhardy’ – move given the hype that already surrounds next year’s draft, but we’ve seen in the past few years that you have to be bold to get what you want.
The Eagles had a clear need to regenerate their list and clearly think they are better off recruiting five young players this year than spreading those picks out over two years. The team didn’t lose any players to trades, and they gained a clearance ball-winner in Ah Chee, who should slot in to replace Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis.
West Coast Eagles
Draft picks: 13, 21, 26, 32, 37, 69
(Image: Paul Kane/Getty Images)
What they need
It’s hard to evaluate West Coast’s decision until a few years down the track when we have an idea how good this year’s swag of recruits proves to be. What it leaves them with is a mid-first round pick this year and four picks spread throughout the second round, which should allow them to find some quality players.
Among West Coast’s established players there are several stars, but it’s hard to get a read on the team’s younger players. In recent years the club has taken Liam Duggan, Tom Cole, Luke Partington and Kurt Mutimer as midfielders. While Duggan is a classy player and Mutimer has a turn of speed, none of them seems to have star quality.
Last year’s first-round pick, Daniel Venables, could be that player, but he has been hampered by injury over the past few years and will take some time to develop. Willie Rioli, drafted as a small forward last year, looks a likely prospect but has again had injury issues.
In recent years West Coast as drafted for best available first and then on a needs basis, but it will be interesting to see if that strategy holds this year with so many second-round selections. The club’s picks are nicely spaced, meaning that they will be in a good spot to pick up a player who might fall through to them or take one player and hope that another on its list is there at the next pick.
If the club decides to recruit for needs, there are a few that are pressing. One of West Coast’s issues is that several of the players it has traded in to fill needs in the past few years have not met expectations. Lewis Jetta had a better season this year but has still not delivered the same form he displayed at Sydney, while Jack Redden has likewise failed to become the ball-winning beast the Eagles needs.
Ah Chee goes some way to boosting the midfield stocks, but it needs another player to develop through the middle. Partington seems likely to end up as a wingman, while Cole seems suited to a role off half-back, as does 2016 recruit Josh Rotham. With Tom Lamb being delisted, the club could do with another third tall forward to develop, as well as small forwards.
(Image: Matt King/Getty Images)
Who they might consider
Clubs tend to use first-round picks to take the player they judge to be the best available, and I expect West Coast to do that this year – it can afford to with the number and placement of its selections. A bona fide classy midfielder would be good here, although another argument says that the club could afford to take a speculative player given its bevy of picks.
I’m firmly in the first camp – picking Venables in the first round last year on limited exposed form was seen as a bit of a risk, and with the state of the club’s midfield I’d be taking someone who is a sure bet. The fact that the club loaded up with picks this year suggests that it wants a mix of players who can play a role next year. Those may take a little longer, but the first pick should be able to make an impact next season.
In that vein, a number of excellent midfielders should be available come the Eagles’ first pick – any of Charlie Constable, Nick Coffield, Hunter Clarke or Lochie O’Brien would be good choices, while Jack Higgins could be just what they need as a small forward.
The ‘go-home’ factor has clearly become one of the most pressing questions in draft and trade circles; however, the Eagles have shown that they are happy to draft Victorians (Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Venables, Cole, and Duggan are a few examples), and I don’t think this will change.
The top West Australian prospects in this draft are, for once, taller players, with Oscar Allen and Aaron Naughton leading the charge. Both could be handing developing players for West Coast; however, if I were West Coast, I would prioritise a midfielder over one of these players at pick 13 given the club already has a good spine. State of origin could become a factor later on, particularly around the club’s final pick, pick 69.
(AAP Image/David Mariuz)
Importance
I’ve mentioned that the Eagles have invested heavily in this draft with a view to renewing their list, and it’s paramount that they get these selections right. Out of their six picks, if they get four long-term players, I think they’d be doing well. Next year will be a balancing act between blooding new draftees and those from recent years while still trying to contend for finals.
Hopefully for the Eagles this new crop of kids will step in and have an impact next year, allowing them to hold ground ladder-wise while still making gains in player development.
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