Entering a season with the AFL’s oldest average list age should usually mean a club is in its prime to challenge for a premiership.
Yet, after nineteen weeks of football, the West Coast Eagles find themselves teetering in ninth place and sit on the verge of missing the finals.
The Eagles’ performance against a desperate Collingwood outfit on Sunday left people scratching their heads as to how Adam Simpson’s men blew a 24-point final quarter lead.
Many critics have been scathing on West Coast’s experienced players going missing in crucial stages of games.
On The Couch analyst David King went as far to say that for some senior players, winning games of football, “doesn’t mean enough to them at the moment.”
In the context of the Eagles season and the club’s current predicament, it may be time for coach Adam Simpson to blood some of his younger talent.
Here’s why.
Since 2014, when Simpson was appointed West Coast coach, the club has drafted fourteen players, of which only five have ever been given the opportunity to prove themselves at AFL level.
In four seasons, the Eagles have debuted Liam Duggan (13 games), Tom Lamb (one game), Jackson Nelson (29 games), Tom Cole (six games) and Kurt Mutimer (four games).
This has put the Eagles well behind the eight ball in developing its list, trailing clubs like Geelong, who have debuted eight players so far this season, while occupying second position on the AFL ladder.
With statistics like that, it’s easy to see why Eagles supporters are continually frustrated by the club’s reluctance to expose its young players to senior football.
So who can the Eagles turn to?
Norwood product Luke Partington, taken with pick 28 in the 2015 national draft, has been in scintillating form for East Perth in the WAFL, averaging over 27 disposals a game.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Already named an emergency this year, playing Partington may give the Eagles a lively midfielder who also yearns for contested ball, something that they’ve lacked in recent weeks.
Willie Rioli will always generate excitement given his last name, but the the small forward is renowned for his pressure and accuracy around goal.
After kicking two goals in his comeback game from injury, Rioli may send a wakeup call to either Jamie Cripps or Mark LeCras, who have been under constant scrutiny for their lack of effort.
Although the Eagles have many other problems other than blooding young players, the selection committee and coaches have to stop the urge of falling back to senior players who continually underperform.
Giving their young players opportunities, who are performing well in the WAFL, may help resolve West Coast’s problem of senior players who have become complacent about their spots in the team.
It’s hard for any players in a team to be motivated to perform well when there’s the feeling that their position isn’t being challenged by players from underneath.
The Eagles are currently a stagnant unit, and Simpson is running out of time to find a tonic to reinvigorate his team.
Don Freo
Guest
Those numbers are negligible. Games played explains variations. Conveniently excluded.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
2015 - 64 scoring shots - 34 goals 30 behinds 13.8 disposal a game 2016 - 46 scoring shots - 28 goals 18 behinds 12.9 disposals a game 2017 - 30 scoring shots - 17 goals 13 behinds 13.5 disposals a game His worth to the side is dropping off every year.
Matto
Guest
We need Cripp's speed. He's not going anywhere.
Matto
Guest
Good points don. I should have said why so many fans feel he is overacheiving. My main point is WCE list is far ahead of fremantles, which is to be expected seeing they're in a rebuild. And it won't take much turnover for 13th man to not be able to bang on about having the oldest list
Brad
Guest
Went at 43% disposal efficiency on the weekend for his 30 touches. 13 effective disposals in the WAFL might have something to do with not getting the call up.
Mattyb
Guest
The average age thing certainly is silly. It's gotten to the stage where some people treat it more importantly than the ladder.
johno
Guest
Freo's core 23-28 year olds isn't too bad - Fyfe, Walters, B Hill, S Hill, Hamling, McCarthy, Neale, Kersten It's the group of kids coming through that is exciting - Cox, Darcy, Logue, Tucker, Weller, Blakely, Langdon, Hughes, Grey, Pearce, Ryan, Nyhuis The jury is out on Strnadica, Dumin, Deluca, Apeness, Collins, Crozier The knives are out for Sheridan, Taberner and Uebergang
Don Freo
Guest
Simmo is underachieving because he has an AA ruckman and AA forward? NicNat certainly hasn't starred. Simmo's fault. WC had a down streak while Kennedy was out for 6 weeks. Simmo's fault? Mitchell is old. Simmo's fault?
Matto
Guest
Priddis, Lecras, Butler, Masten, Josh Hill, Wellingham and probably Sam Mitchell. Half of those players would make the tardmantle team of the decade. And after all but one or two are gone at the end of the season, how old is the eagles list? We have all Australian forwards, ruck, wingman and defenders. Hence why Simpson is underacheiving. At least Lyon is playing kids hahaha
Don Freo
Guest
Why would you replace Cripps? He's a jet. Karpany and Mutimer are off the pace.
Don Freo
Guest
This oldest average age thing is silly. There is not much more than a year between the oldest and the youngest average aged team. 25/26 is hardly old. What's better...a 35 yo and an 18 yo or a 27 yo and a 26 yo? I'd go the 26/27yo...but that's two players above the average age. Average age is a stat of the dumb. Games played are significant.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Kennedy is a good chance of kicking a bag. Can't see any of our defenders being able to shut him down. Andrews may get the job but Kennedy is a formidable prospect, who will outmuscle both Andrews or McStay, and is big enough to not be troubled by Andrews prehensile reach.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
The WCE are fortunate Zorcho is suspended. If he was playing I would have given BL a real chance of upsetting the WCE. The BL have a lot of youthful talent and will become a very good side and maybe even push for the eight next year. Just hope the WCE knuckle down and blow the BL off the park given the heat they have taken this week. We could do with a good percentage boost.
Paul D
Roar Guru
We have played WCE twice at Subiaco since 2010 and they kicked 175 and 166 points against us in those two games. I can't see us troubling them.
Wal
Guest
Everyone having a crack at coach?. We got to a grand final. For me its about the passion for the club and jumper. Im east at the moment and the word over here is the players a too confortable with their lifestyle and a little up themselves. Might need a visit from a past champion to talk about pride passion and fighting through pain to succeed.
Jolly Roger
Guest
Ironically if we win at home against Lions, it's back to being called 'flat track bullies' again! ((; (a rock and a hard place)
Scott
Guest
I want them to go after Jacob Hopper. I'd be happy to give up our 1st pick for him. With Naitanui back and a fit JK, the team is too good to not have a crack next year. Especially with the advantage the new stadium will bring. Hopper will instantly have an impact and our first pick will be cheaper than what he's worth. We would get a young player in their 3rd year, instead of first, and then also won't be a free agent till he's 28. I hope the recruiters are monitoring him closely
Scott
Guest
Jolly Roger I've been saying that all year about Wellingham. He used to be a midfielder/winger at Collingwood. It's been pissing me off that we are lacking speed in the midfield, yet we have heaps of fast half back flankers. Wellingham, Sheppard, Nelson and perhaps Cole could rotate through the midfield/wing. Wellingham, Nelson and Cole seem to always be competing with each other for that last back flank spot. Why aren't they competing with Masten, Redden, Hutchings etc. They don't need to play predominately in the middle, but I'd much rather a Wellingham/ Sheppard/ Nelson rotation on the wing then one of Masten, Redden or Hutchings. All 3 are bigger, faster and longer kicks then Masten and Hutchings. And all 3 have a better skill set then the other 3
Scott
Guest
Agree Hewy. And let's take a closer look at all of them. The author must be talking about the national draft I suppose, which I can only count 13. Damian Cavka - injury forced retirement Alec Waterman - injury forced retirement Daniel Venables - injured Willie Rioli - injured Jake waterman - injured Matthew Allen - injured Josh Rotham - still too skinny. Was never going to play in 2017 Liam Duggan - plays every week Jackson Nelson - plays regularly Tom Cole - is playing a bit Kurt Mutimer - injured debut year then has played this year Tom Lamb - has made his debut but still playing wafl as a KPP in his 3rd year Luke Partington - 2nd year **should have played** All the criticism should basically just be "why hasn't Partington played". I am actually really pissed off that he hasn't played, especially when players like masten and Redden keep getting games ahead of him. But apart from that, it really reads 2 in 6 players are not playing AFl and 1 has not made his debut. They'll go into 2018 with an extra 5 players we haven't seen yet, on top of the 4-5 new draft picks this year
David C
Guest
Playing with fire right there. IF WC take Brissy as expected easy road kill it could end in disaster. Even without Zorko.