The Eagles' first Pick 1 this century is worth more than anything they could trade it for - here's why

By Dem Panopoulos / Expert

Three club legends have departed and a unanimous decision has been made for the coach to stay, meaning the next big topic on West Coast’s agenda is around what to do with the first pick.

And no, don’t worry, this isn’t one of those trade hypothetical pieces where the Eagles are on the losing end of almost every deal floated so far.

It’s about the process for the Eagles, analysing their own list and being definitive with their final decision.

Of course, they have nearly three months to decide what they’ll do, but it’ll be discussed weekly, if not daily. Lucky for them, they’re on the right track.

There would have been discussions had with Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui and as sad as it is for a generation of Eagles fans to see them leave, their respective retirements are the right call overall. Reputations untarnished, club Hall of Fame spots guaranteed.

The Adam Simpson coaching decision, whether you agree or disagree, has at least been made. It has been a tumultuous time for the Eagles, but there has also been an effort to turn a new page.

2023 was a bad, shocking, horrible year for West Coast – almost historically so. It leaves the club with the top pick in the draft for the first time since 1996: we can casually sweep that 2010 wooden spoon to the side where Gold Coast’s introduction meant the Eagles picked fourth.

Nic Naitanui recently announced his retirement. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Rebuilding a list in a tough spot takes more than one single pick. But as bad as the Eagles have been for two seasons, this is certainly the lowest point, because they’ve already started to take the appropriate steps to commence the slow journey back to the top.

In terms of young talent, the Eagles aren’t as bad as the results and some media will have you believe.

They started trying to load up on top picks a couple of years ago when this drop-off was inevitable, and in taking 10 picks in the last two national drafts, as well as having the first selection in the last two mid-season drafts, it’s clearly the right approach.

Since 2021, they’ve got 185 games out of players selected, which would have been more if not for injuries, illness and general unavailability.

It’s far from perfect, but the club is reasonably covered at both ends of the ground, too. Sure, their attack is pinned on golden child Oscar Allen, while the internal hope is that Bailey Williams can serve more as a forward if the development of Harry Barnett in the ruck ticks along as predicted.

Jamie Cripps has walked for a decade straight to hopefully allow Noah Long to run. Jack Williams returned from injury and had some decent moments in the back end of the season. We’re yet to see Coby Burgiel, but he’s a personal favourite and one that should excite many.

Defensively, there’s the stalwart duo of Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern, who are there to shield the younger players if fit. That’s the issue with them both, though: whether or not the former stays may be what decides if the Eagles choose to trade down from pick 1.

Rhett Bazzo deserves a lot of credit for the way he has approached 2023 despite an off-season personal tragedy. On the field, he was exposed at times but not in an outrageous way that should affect any positivity around his talent.

This year, due to injuries, it ended up being a lot of medium-tall types, as well as depth players who were best 23 by default, having to try to cover stars like Barrass and McGovern defensively.

Brady Hough clearly became a more confident version of himself mid-year and flourished since. He was thrown to the wolves down back at times and is perhaps best suited for a flank or wing spot, but it doesn’t take much time watching the Eagles to notice him.

Having guys like Tom Cole, Alex Witherden, Jake Waterman – who knows what his future holds at AFL level at either end of the ground it may be – and more playing above their weight while the Eagles fill holes isn’t a bad thing for developing teams. Elliot Yeo and Liam Duggan inevitably fill spots in defence too.

This all circles back around to the concept of trading pick 1, when the spot on the field the Eagles really need to improve on is in midfield.

The top, openly available prospect in this draft class is Harley Reid, and it’s not particularly close. Go watch his highlights from Essendon’s VFL team if you’re not convinced he’s ready.

He’s that hybrid half-forward/midfield sort of player who will rotate early in his career, but he’s a difference-maker and would give the Eagles’ midfield something special.

At the moment, it’s only Hewett who has that sort of X-factor about him as a midfield prospect for the Eagles. Jai Culley has that potential, but may end up being used more forward with only spurts in the middle. Ryan Maric is maybe a high half-forward of the future, and Campbell Chesser is a peripheral figure in all of this.

Of course there’s Reuben Ginbey, the one with a bit of mongrel and aggressiveness in his desire to win the contested ball, but his effectiveness will always be tied in with the high-end quality of his teammates. Given the opportunity, Reid is an absolutely perfect fit for the Eagles.

Between him, Hewett and Ginbey, there’s a healthy attitude, a bit of in-your-face aggression that links them all together, with varying skillsets across the group.

The Eagles have bided their time in amassing picks, but to get the highest possible quality player available, now is the right moment to do so.

The answer to whether or not it’s worth trading the top pick is almost always no. But it’s never a straight move of the first pick out for a return – look at North Melbourne last year, who got the second and third picks while trading the top one, but also saw Jason Horne-Francis move. Ultimately, it was a mess, as good as Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw have been.

That’s not to say there aren’t extenuating circumstances that would warrant such a move. If Barrass leaves, then the opportunity to take Daniel Curtin is obviously there. He’s a quality tall prospect with remarkable versatility who you wouldn’t bat an eyelid at taking. Mitch Edwards, another local prospect, is a high quality, underrated type that would add to the Eagles’ ruck stocks and free up Williams.

It’s always rumoured that the top prospect doesn’t want to go interstate. If there’s validity in that for Reid, and the swirling vortex of innuendo surrounding the young star suggests it might be the case, then a trade would make sense.

But the Eagles have enough young players with potential to not need to collect five or six more high picks in 2023. They currently have 13 players that won’t yet be 21 years old by next pre-season.

Harley Reid in action during the 2023 U18 Boys Championships. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Now is the time to start taking action on poor results and making the most of what it entails – the cream of the draft crop nationwide.

It’s almost never worth trading the first pick in the national draft, and rarely do deals end up making sense.

The Eagles have done enough work to have potential all over the ground and should maintain enough depth, barring another nightmarish injury run, to take steps forward in 2024 as a developing squad.

If the chance to take the top prospect comes once every quarter-decade, then it would be silly to not act upon that opportunity.

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West Coast have already made some big decisions and non-decisions. They now must look at their young talent, not the result, and realise it’s time to stick fat once more.

The Crowd Says:

2023-10-28T06:18:59+00:00

andyfnq

Roar Rookie


Wowee, some serious optimism in this piece! There's glass-half-full and then there's this. Listen to Dem and the glass somehow contains the entire Indian Ocean, snugly up to the brim :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

2023-09-04T13:26:25+00:00

Handles

Roar Guru


Always a chance that Reid likes the country town life, as you say. But they are betting Curtin against that, and they really like him.

2023-09-04T12:59:21+00:00

WestraliaForever

Roar Rookie


I think the suggestion that Reid head back to Victoria is a bit of an over-statement. There are plenty of WCE players that started out in Victoria. Same with the Dockers. People come and go for all sorts of reasons cf Rory Lobb - a Perth boy that followed his girlfriend back to South Yarra. The key is strong culture, good leadership and off-field stability, which WCE has always offered. Clarko was right, how many Number 1 picks have actually turned into premiership heroes? Since 1992, Drew Banfield (WCE), Luke Hodge (Hawks), Des Headland (Lions) and Tom Boyd (at the Bulldogs). It's about the team; not one star. Dustin was a very good player until the Tigers sorted themselves out; then he became truly elite - and he was picked 3 after Tom Scully and Trengrove... sheesh!!! Joel Selwood was 6 - after Bryce Gibbs and Scott Gumbleton (who?!)

2023-09-03T00:30:46+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie


Everyone can do with a 190cm fast, skilled utility…already having an impact at Peel in his few league games. He’ll be taken late first, early second. WC will be eyeing SofDerek very closely.

2023-09-03T00:00:29+00:00

PriddisJunior

Roar Rookie


Would like to hear your theories in how we get both. Have seen a couple deecent comments suggesting this tactic.

2023-09-02T23:57:05+00:00

PriddisJunior

Roar Rookie


What's Clay do for yous?

2023-09-02T23:55:05+00:00

PriddisJunior

Roar Rookie


You're missing the point! Doesn't want to leave WA! So they're not allowed to pick him! They finished so far below what was expected, Sir Don is still coping. ????

2023-09-02T23:49:13+00:00

PriddisJunior

Roar Rookie


I imagine a packed MCG with a home prelim on the line will be mecha intense. Try to enjoy it either way. We lost to the Swans at home the year we won vs them later. Will be epic whichever way it goes. Gotta love finals footy... anyway, it's ports or brissy's to lose :silly:

2023-09-02T13:34:12+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie


Freo has no need of him. Our first pick is 19. Hopefully, Clay Hall.

2023-09-02T11:39:42+00:00

JudgeMental

Roar Rookie


Leave Curtain. Is Freo the only other possiblity for him? What I've seen of him, I wouldn't have thought he would still be on the table by Round 2. Finished too high on the ladder got a chuckle.

2023-09-02T07:49:23+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie


You just complained about me being too positive. You need to remember what you write from post to post.

2023-09-02T06:01:15+00:00

deadly demon

Roar Rookie


I am negative gee reading your posts over the last few years I find that well simply an astonishing comment I love football have supported most other teams in finals with my team missing mostly you need to have a real good look at yourself and think a bit

2023-09-02T05:18:32+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie


Who cares what you ever or never did. You are a negative force on this site.

2023-09-02T02:09:38+00:00

Steele

Roar Rookie


I know right, I’ve secured me some seats. Could be the best/worst night of my life Thursday.

2023-09-01T23:44:32+00:00

deadly demon

Roar Rookie


don you continually raved last year about Freo going unbeaten and to the premiership I never assume anything about my team, just enjoy their good form at the moment. I have followed football for over 50 years, I watch most matches and love the game just irrational comments bout your team make me chuckle

2023-09-01T22:28:44+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie


They've done plenty of that. Finals 2022, youngest team in the comp 2023. Got back into a run when Fyfe returned. The run stopped when Darcy and Fyfe finished their season. Add their experience and the class of Chapman next season and another pre-season to the kids, Freo has no worries. That's why silly trolls like your comment never work. Those who follow footy, instead of just barrack against teams, can see what's happening. Your comment just gives me a forum to inform people.

2023-09-01T22:21:49+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie


Leave who? Curtin or Reid? Freo finished too high on the ladder to be in conversation for those two. Freo is way happier with Jackson anyway.

2023-09-01T16:41:50+00:00

deadly demon

Roar Rookie


just to to start winning a few games if they are that good ????????????

2023-09-01T16:36:02+00:00

deadly demon

Roar Rookie


I think watching my team finally work it's way to a period of finals football and should be also good for the next 5-8 years I think a team is built up over different areas Draft and in particular getting quality players deep in the Draft. Attracting players from other teams and looking at win/ win with some trades. Ongoing support and development of new players coaching that improves players and also a positive VFL team that can feed the AFL team My team Dees have cleared some talented players over the past 10 years but also attracted quality players. May/Lever/ Langdon/ Brown/ Hibberd/Hunter/ Melksham/ Grundy and we have been really good not just with top picks but in moving up the Draft and also in picking and developing players taken much lower in the draft

2023-09-01T15:23:10+00:00

JudgeMental

Roar Rookie


We agree on that. What footage I've seen and from what I've read and heard of Curtain, he's ready to go, and should slot right in at the Eagles. People who think they're not going to bounce right back might be very surprised when they get a decent run at it. Sooner, rather than later. Having said that, the footage and reports on Reid are pretty flattering - his VFL games impress me more than anything. I don't think West Coast go wrong either way - is there a way to get both?

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