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.
Dan
Guest
Great article. Fingers crossed we can land one of Higgins, Clark or Constable at 13. First 2 picks should be best mids available. 26 reach for Tim Kelly, he will slot straight in & have an impact next year. Then hopefully a good small forward (Miers) and KPF prospect @ 32 & 37. Ryan and Schoilthe pick 69 or rookie picks, not worth anything before. Add those to Venebles, Rioli, Waterman, M.Allen, Nelson, Karpany, Watson, Cole, Rotham and Partington and the Eagles have a good mix of youth coming through. The Eagles imo will better in 2018 than they were this year. Will have a real ruckman for starters. Won't have 2 of the slowest players ever running around in the midfield. Another year of experience for the younger blokes already in 22. Very good backline and good forward line. Very good rucks. A bit of a new mix in the midfield and they will surprise quite a few next year.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Plus with no third up at throw-ins, which only came in this season, Nic Nat will also be more effective here as well. Will only have to contend with one instead of two opposition players. The WCE could end up leading the comp in clearances next year and it might even be the year a ruckman wins the Brownlow since Goodes in 2003.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Nic Nat will become even more effective in the ruck next year if they do away with the bounce at the CBD. He will be able to time his run and leap more effectively to hit the ball to the advantage of our midfield. I can only dream of the number of set plays they could have in their quiver that will have the opposition midfield chasing their tales saying "which way did he go, which way did he go". Of course not naive enough to realize the opposition ruck won't have a few things up their sleeves to combat Nic Nat's leap. But they will always be on the defensive at the CBD which will allow our midfield to win more clearances this year and hit the likes of JK and JD lace out on the lead.
Lroy
Guest
Agreed. Redden was great in the second half of the year. Priddis's injuries allowed Redden to assume more responsibility and show his stuff. We lose nothing with his ability to get in and under a pack, and we gain significant defensive pressure with his determination to run down opposition ball carriers. Something both the Brownlow medalists struggled to do. Theres not too much wrong with the Eagles IMO. We have plenty of cover for Yeo if he goes into the midfield which will give us more leg speed and drive around the contest. If we can identify a genuine third forward who can kick a few goals in the big games the Eagles are well placed to have a serious crack at the flag in 2018. So for me Im pretty optimistic about next year.
Jack
Guest
I like the whole way the recruiting went about it, on the front foot, just need to see how the drafting transpires. It's worth a rewind to 2017 preseason, IF NN+Lycett played, IF we didn't need to draft Petrie+Vardy,( Mitchell was just a wildcard bonus that popped up, we couldn't ignore), how different would our season have been? We might have won some of those close finishes, some of those last quarters. Even if only 2 games more. We would have finished higher in the top 8 and possibly performed differently in finals. It's an unknown of course. But for all the media criticism Eagles received, I just feel some critics may be eating some surprise pie in 2018-19. I actually think this is when the whole funky circus since and including 2015, finally comes together as a cohesive force..could be way wrong of course. gut feeling. Theres something going on at WCE and it's not just a rebuild..(also NN is a cherry on the pie, but I don't have any long term hope invested in him, enjoy him while he lasts) Rucks are a dying breed aren't they? Is rucking here to stay? It seems jurassic. needs streamlining.
Jack
Guest
Disagree, when was the last time Hawthorn bottomed out, or Sydney? Playing the kids doesn't mean we'll be fielding a team of kids each week. The best 22 wont look that much different to 2017. NN+Lycett back in, a couple of new faces in the midfield and on the bench, perhaps a new forward crumber. definitely more youth will be rotated through. Also I'm not sold on this 'year of pain' concept- fan boy blind faith aside- i don't think we'll slide as badly as some think.
David C
Guest
You'd be better off bottoming out and getting high draft picks for a few years than continually being on the fringe of the 8. You could get lucky and find another Michael Barlow though ... who knows. WC have to play the kids next year and that probably means a year of pain.
Jack
Guest
"Quite a few years before that stadium sees finals"??? - Get real! That reply just smacks of an anti-eagles bias, not based on any mature informed opinion..resorts to name-calling and put downs. flimsy and childish. am sure the womens teams will do well (mysogyny anyone?). It's strange how with NN and Lycett out and two old plodders (priddis+mitchell) and a broken hand for 6 weeks to Petrie and a bad midfield and lots of travel, we accidently finished 6th? not bad for a patched up team that played badly most of the season? I cant explain that but I sure hope with NN, Lycett, AhChee and new midfield and coaching additions we continue our strangeness and accidently fall into the 8 again. There seems to be a genuine re-build buzz at the club, with purpose and intent. I suspect they're serious about their direction and outcome. Don't forget the mids we have should improve (Redden, Sheed, Duggan), Jetta is still an unknown- but should improve. Add Venables, Partington, Rioli. Then Shuey, Gaff and Yeo, NN and Lycett, we should be okay.
Electric
Guest
We all try the crystal ball at the end of each season, analyse what player is needed to take the next step forward, this year was hyped up with the sudden arrival of Sam Mitchell,senior players did not fire on a consistent basis, the ruck division suffered from the Natanui factor, lycett's shoulder injury was the killer blow, they planned for him in Nics absence and yes our clearance plus contested numbers where appalling, speed is the need, strong around the ball players who will have a go,you don't stay in games like they did if your list is a total disaster, out of all players delisted, retired, two are ball magnets Pridda & Mitchell and really they both didn't impact to a high standard until the finals, get some ball magnets that can explode will crash a contest, Ryan, Allen, Kelly, are good options there are other WA boys who should be recruited if available, this is a good draft you just need to look deeper, time will be the ultimate judge on trading next years first round selection I agree some aggressive decisions neded to be made so good on the recruiters for taking a punt, you can't win if you don't have a ticket
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Disagree with your comments about Redden. Whilst I was scathing of his performances last year and also in the first half of this season, his game seemed to step up in the second half. Maybe its something about new blokes to a new club they take longer to settle in and feel they belong, especially if their form is not good. As soon as Redden strung a couple of 20+ possession games together he never looked back for the rest of the season. He looks clumsy with ball in hand and he is not the prettiest disposer of the ball either. But he has one of the highest disposal efficiency ratings in the team for the second half of the season. I think Redden will excel in the midfield this year roving to Nic Nat and if we can get some other guys in the middle with him with a bit of pace, he and Ah Che. with their in and under grunt and handballs to advantage, might just surprise a lot of people.
The whole truth
Guest
Whatevs, Dong Freo. Gonna be quite a few years before that new stadium sees finals footy played at it. Hope your women's teams are good. Cheers anyway, hombre!
Don Freo
Guest
"Know"? No. But on the basis of their body of work, they probably will. Ryan, working with Kennedy, Darling and Nic Nat could be a gold mine. Classy on the ground, stunning in the air and kicks them with both feet from everywhere. Kelly, while beaten by his team mate, Schloithe, for the Sandover, was easily the classiest player in the WAFL this year. When you see his touch, speed and savvy, your cynicism will quietly fade and you'll be singing his praises. Schloithe will never be the name on everyone's lips but he will be that efficient in and under feeder of the ball. Like that other sleeper in drafts past, Matt Priddis. I suspect you are just taking an anti-Eagles negative position without knowing much about them.
The whole truth
Guest
And you KNOW the three I mentioned will make an immediate impact! I say NO.
Don Freo
Guest
That response tells me you don't know how they play. Do you know Ryan's story? A 2 time leading WAFL goal kicker in his first 2 seasons down from the country and only 21. He didn't go through the usual system. That meant clubs missed him. They won't this time. You haven't explained what is wrong with them. Have another go. I suspect you can't because you don't know.
The whole truth
Guest
One's a discard, the other two would have been picked up before now by someone if good enough. You tell me how they'll make an immediate difference! Big step up from the WAFL!
Don Freo
Guest
Love to hear your reasons why those 3 wouldn't make WC better? Are you familiar with their work? Do you know what they play like? If you do know them, have a go at explaining why they wouldn't make a difference.
The whole truth
Guest
Looks like a half-baked rebuild to me. Sure recruit Scloithe, Ryan, Kelly etc. Being locals that would appeal. Having said that I don't think they're up to making WC better. Fell into the 8 this year, will fall out of the 8 next year. Sorry, I just see no upside!
Don Freo
Guest
Yes. Waterman is that 3rd tall forward and he will play 200 games. WCE needn't seek any more...but will probably take Oscar Allen with one of those picks in the 20s.
Don Freo
Guest
WCE, Tom Lamb was lazier than Josh Hill. That's why he was let go. You shouldn't be sad about that.
Jack
Guest
Theres a few to chase -Constable, Kelly, Clarke, Shloithe, Ryan, Higgins..need a another walk-up starter to compliment AhChee, Schloithe and Kelly seem to fit this bill, but we could use another mature speedster or mid with burst speed (like Shuey), although we do have Venables..Shloithe doesn't seem popular with many, but built solid and goes forward and kicks goals-need goalkicking mids. So in shorts - we need 1-2 more mature goal kicking mids, with skills and pace, ready to roll..then a forward crumber, and a young FF to replace JK, and we have our sights on one, forgotten his name?