When victorious West Coast coach Adam Simpson made his speech on the premiership dais last Saturday, there was one group of people he forgot to thank – the Gold Coast recruitment team.
In last year’s trade period, the Eagles and Suns engineered a pick swap that, at the time, looked incredibly one-sided, and which, in hindsight, looks even more so.
The swap went like this: West Coast gave up their first-round pick in this year’s draft, as well as pick 50 in the 2017 draft, for a clutch of second-round picks from the glitter strip club (21, 26, 37, and a 2018 second-round selection).
Come draft time, the Eagles used those selections to snare key forward Oscar Allen, livewire Liam Ryan, and speedster Jack Petrucelle, in addition to using their first-round selection (13) on key position player Jarrod Brander, pick 32 on Brayden Ainsworth, and pick 68 on Hamish Brayshaw.
With pick 50, Gold Coast selected ruckman Brayden Crossley.
At first glance, West Coast trading a first-round selection for a bunch of second-round picks might seem like a strange decision – but looking back, it seems the Eagles’ brain trust knew exactly what they were doing.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but this could be one of the most important trades ever for the Eagles – not only did it help bolster their list and set them on the path to a premiership, but was also executed with an eye to the future, something most clubs in the premiership window don’t usually consider.
Come the end of 2017, the Eagles clearly thought that they were likely to contend for the premiership this season, so did what most contenders do, and topped up their list. They could afford to – since 2012, the club has only twice traded its first-round selection, once for Jack Redden (pick 17 last year), and for Sharrod Wellingham (pick 18 in 2012). Several of the young players it has selected over that time – Liam Duggan, Tom Cole, Daniel Venables, Willie Rioli, and Tom Barass – have become key parts of the side. There were no glaring holes on their list, so they could afford to have a raft of picks and see what happened.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
This is where swapping picks with Gold Coast became an attractive proposition – desperately needing talented players, it made sense for the Suns to get themselves another first-round pick. On paper, it seemed like it could work out well for Gold Coast. However, examined in light of West Coast’s premiership, it looks nothing short of a disaster (in fact, it might even be worse than the club’s decision to trade pick 2 for Lachie Weller, which seemed like a strange decision, but at least was done to attract a player who wanted to come to the club, and was a proven talent).
For one, the current exodus of players from the Suns should have made a bunch of second-round picks a useful commodity. They could be used on a mix of younger players and established talent, potentially grouping together a bunch of youngsters from the same clubs or states, as they did in 2016 when they took three Victorians – Ben Ainsworth, Will Brodie, and Jack Scrimshaw – in the top ten.
Instead, Gold Coast used the first-round selection (pick 19) to select Wil Powell, an extremely speculative choice from the WAFL who most clubs didn’t even have on their draft boards. He’s an athletic and combative player who may come good, but for a club in their precarious position (both on and off-field), it was a risky move.
Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images
The most damning assessment of Gold Coast’s decision, however, is that West Coast’s first-round pick this year is pick 18, while the second-round pick they acquired from Gold Coast is 20.
In essence, West Coast gave up two spots in the draft for four second-round picks. They got the exciting forward they wanted in Liam Ryan, who has had a huge impact this year, took Brayden Ainsworth and Hamish Brayshaw to add some midfield depth, and addressed three future needs in drafting key position players Allen and Brander, and speedy midfielder Petrucelle.
All that, for moving down two draft spots this year (and, of course, they could still receive a first-round compensation pick if Andrew Gaff moves to North Melbourne).
Of course, Gold Coast wasn’t to know West Coast would win the flag, but given the Eagles have been near the pointy end of the ladder the past few years, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that their first pick was going to feature later in the order.
It was a shrewd swap by the Eagles – one that, all going to plan, has set them up to challenge for back-to-back flags.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Now Tom Browne, AFL reporter, reckons Gaff is staying at West Coast. Guess Kelly will be staying at Geelong in 2019
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Me and my boys walked past an optimistic Richmond merchandise stall on the way to the G grand final day Doc. Fair to say business wasn't booming.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yeah you were also claiming the back to back halfway through 2018 ghost and stated the Pies were of no concern. How'd that end up? Everyone thought the Tigers unbeatable and yet you were. You'll contend next year but I doubt the domination will be there. You'll be just one of a few sides contending I suspect. Lynch would have not made up the difference against the Pies in the preliminary.
BBQ BILL
Guest
Hate to break it to you, but 1 flag in 30 odd years doesn't make the tigers the best thing since sliced bread, let alone an automatic inclusion for a dynasty run...they drank their own bathwater, then got a reality check!
Scott
Guest
So true Julian. I was telling anyone that would listen that this was the best trade eagles ever done. On this site and others I copped heaps of flack even from some eagles supporters. There was no way west coast were finishing less then 10th this year. It was extremely likely they made the 8 but no one could see it. Gold Coast on the other hand were looking shocking coming into this year. It was always going to be 3 2nd rounders for a less then 10 pick downgrade. And with the father son and academy players west coast were never going to get a top 10 pick in the so called superdraft anyway, therefor not missing out on the super talent. It was always going to be an epic trade
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
So glad We'd have a lifetime of Carlton-like pain to reflect on
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Pretty sure it was you ghost talking threepeats for the tigers halfway through the year. Just like the Pies GF pain, that USA chant will ring through your ears no doubt for some time to come.
Klompy
Roar Rookie
Just commenting on Robert Walls Silliest tip saying that the Eagles will win the Wooden spoon. I added that the Eagles the Eagles will win back to back premierships. Not back to back wooden spoons like Carlton will. Sorry if you did not understand.
User
Roar Rookie
Walls, he was first choice until a late change of mind lobbed him to the bears, I reckon that is why he has a chip on his shoulder regarding wce
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Sure, MM was a traditional VFL style coach and taking the Dogs to 7th (1984), 3rd (1985) 2nd after the H&A, 8th (1986), 7th (1987), 8th (1988) and 13th (1989) gave him plenty of credibility Do you remember who he was up against for the job?
User
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Alexander was shafted, finishing 6 when a top 5 was the finalists in first year was ridiculously good, should never been sacked. Toddy brought thru alot of the boys that Malthouse took to the next step but unfortunately Todd was very much a wa style of footy coach making Mick a necessity to take the team fwd in the vfl
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
You're forgetting Alexander and Todd... Alexander was shafted,first season 11 and 11 and got the flick, Toddy got 20 wins and a final in two years, also flicked. Then Malthouse, who was five years with Footscray and even-stevens in the wins and losses, was a big gamble in itself
User
Roar Rookie
Forgot the two years of judge man, but agree 3/4 coaches getting a premiership is outstanding
DTM
Guest
We are all experts given the benefit of hindsight - many experts tipped the Eagles to be bottom 4 in 2018 (and with good reason). However, the Eagles have a good management team and that starts at the top. They rarely change their coaches, they retain staff and players well and there is a long history of good draft and trade decisions. This has all contributed to building a loyal fan base and a highly successful club. The fans accept a season or two of rebuilding when we see premiership opportunities every 5 years or so (7 grand finals in 32 years). An interesting point is that the last 3 coaches have now tasted premiership success - not sure if any other clubs have done that in modern times?
User
Roar Rookie
Through an old job I met him as well as many wce and Freo players and gaff was the most sincere and genuine young man by far. He has served the number 3 with all the courage and determination that reflected mainy and Judd.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
He'll do wonders for North.Really reliable,occasionally exceptional and he'll bring IP from Mitchell and Simpson for midfield smarts. He plays out every quarter,high endurance and quick by foot and hand. Sad to see him go
User
Roar Rookie
That was what my wife and I where saying, also it would be not the best thing for his mental health turning up to pre season with blokes still buzzing and him knowing through his own stuff up he missed out on the greatest moment in his life, would compound any depression etc he may have brought into his life
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
It really was the only choice he had. Imagine if his Father suffered another attack and Gaff was stuck in a contract with the WCE when he should be back in Melbourne looking after his Mother. It would have been a bad situation both for Gaff and the WCE.
User
Roar Rookie
Yes it could be but I have faith the recruiting Dept will get it right. One thing I've learnt is we generally play finals so we need to be damn good at turning picks in the teens and beyond into quality players. If we don't have satisfactory capital to entice Geelong to trade Kelly so be it, we managed to identify Shuey and get him with pick 20 so I have faith, much as you would in Geelong ability to identify talent.
Cat
Roar Guru
On the flip side of that its the worst possible year to potentially be getting a bunch of FA compo picks.