Securing a bright future is just as important as achieving immediate success in the dynamic AFL landscape.
Despite Fremantle’s finals charge in 2022 and West Coast’s premiership in 2018, Western Australia remains at the forefront of this conversation. Due to the decline in WA football in 2023, the spotlight is now on the young stars who are making waves among the more established players.
We’ll take a closer look at the future stars of the two Western Australian powerhouses, exploring underrated picks who might just hold the key to prolonged success.
From their 1987 AFL debut until their current low point, the West Coast Eagles have been consistent AFL challengers. With the 2023 draft came the best opportunity to bring in a generational talent since the 2002 “super draft” in Chris Judd.
In their futile attempt to put season 2023 in the past, West Coast supporters have found solace in Harley Reid. He is the key to the club’s objectives in forming a core group of big-name damaging youngsters with with the likes of Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, and Noah Long. It may be a long-term vision, but it is the Eagles’ stairway to the heavens again.
(Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
Clay Hall is one of the overlooked talents in West Coast’s recent collection of picks. In the preseason block, Hall has shown tremendous promise and versatility, but he didn’t get nearly as much attention as other high-profile prospects.
Tested at the WAFL League level with the Peel Thunder, Hall’s ability to see the play unfold moving forward is as good any draftee the Eagles have picked up. Keep an eye out since he is about to fly under the radar while the spotlight is on the big-name talents.
The Fremantle Dockers have been quietly amassing an impressive squad of youthful talent, while their cross-town rivals have stolen the show with a slew of high-level draft picks.
Fremantle possess a respectable mid-aged group owing to their performances in the later half of the previous decade. Among the youth, Matthew Johnson has separated himself. With Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, and Nat Fyfe – winner of two Brownlow medals – as frequent opponents during this preseason, Johnson has held his own.
The Rising Star nominee for Round 2023 appears to be firmly establishing himself in a Dockers group that is brimming with promise for years to come.
The Dockers’ 2023 draft pool was severely understocked due to trades made in previous seasons. Still, as the draft wore on, sliders began to emerge and at pick 33, they found Cooper Simpson. He injects blistering pace into a Dockers side which enables the runners to make a valuable impact on the outside.
After speedster Liam Henry departed for St Kilda the wing position became vacant, and Simpson has wasted no time rushing to fill it. He made a strong impression in the most recent match simulation, skilfully transferring the ball from defensive 50 to forward 50 with his pace. He is certainly one to watch for Fremantle fans.
Which group of fans should feel more assured going into the years of upcoming Derby action? It is a challenging question to pose.
Based on their performance in the 2022 finals, Fremantle appear ready for the near future. After winning the previous five derbies, the Dockers are sure to add to their record of victories.
For the Eagles, however, as they climb the ladder back to their accustomed heights, they will be ready and motivated to stop that record.
Some of the most riveting West Australian football matches are sure to be on the horizon in the years to come. The only question now is the number of premiership cups that will cross the Nullarbor.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Perhaps not - but the extra attention Harley is getting doesn’t help him. He’s going to be a gun, let him just play footy.
nics
Roar Rookie
I don't think anyone actually reads the West Australian. It's The Onion for eastern staters.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Have I said anything particularly controversial though? Objectively West Coast are a bottom 4 side - I think most West Coast fans would say that, let alone Freo ones. I don't have a huge amount of confidence in my own team this season either, but I look at WCE's squad and it's extremely young and paper thin, there is no shame in finishing bottom 4 this season as long as you see progress.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Least realistic observer of WCE likely finishing position is going to be freo fans.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It took you 9 days to come up with, "yeah nah"? It's not even clear which bit you are "yeah nah(ing)".
Frodo
Roar Rookie
Yeah nah. You're just donfused!
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I think they’ve got enough, as long as they can keep some key players fit.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Do you think you have the fire power to win more than you lose ? Also a team with a defensive mindset in today’s game & especially during the home & away season won’t cut it.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I think there is rightly pressure on Longmuir, as there is on Beveridge to be honest. Finals is a must for Longmuir to keep his job given he is out of contract at the end of the season.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I think it's a big year for Longmuir, he needs a top 8 finish to keep his job. I certainly wouldn't be keen on Bevo, but there are other coaches/ assistants around that would fancy the young list Freo has and would back themselves to do better than Longmuir. It's finals or out for me. On WCE, there really shouldn't be any expectations. There is nothing really to suggest they'll do much better than last year, and I think most of their more realistic fans understand it's going to be a tough year, but they want to see more young players getting games and getting opportunity - they'll be ok in a couple of seasons but are likely wooden spoon favourites as it currently stands. The West Australian also needs to get off Harley Reid's back and let him play footy - he's 18.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Early days for 2024 but I think Freo will finish just inside the 8 and WCE 10th-12th.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Hey Don, are Freo still competing in the AFL? Confucius say: people who take the pi$$ just wetting pants with laughter
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Hi Max, not sure what to expect but the dogs finally have a fit Sam Darcy & he & Jamarra should cause some headaches for opposition deep in attack. Think Nort will play high HF & wing this year.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Hey Chan,what can we expect from the Doggies this year,seen a few ladder predictors,I expect them to rise this year,maybe more than any other team in my opinion
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think he thought Sumich would be a Freo boy.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Maybe he’s colour blind Don.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Very much to do with The West Australian editor, Anthony De Ceglie whose only mantra is increased circulation…not journalism. De Ceglie, strangely, is a Freo member.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Agree Victorian press like to dismiss Freo but one would think WA press can be quite nasty. Probably comes from righteous WcE support base interpretation of the purple people in the media fraternity. Knock down the poorer cousin so to speak.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They weren't really mediocre last year. That was just eastern states commentary. Freo had a bad start and much of that was JLo selection stuff (Ethan Hughes on a wing. Amiss not picked initially. Johnson and Erasmus always the subs.) After that, when Fyfe returned, we saw what could happen. The run ended when Fyfe, Darcy and Walker join Chapman and Taberner on the sidelines. Only eastern states outs are acknowledged as affecting a team's form. Freo are now 2 seasons better than 2022. So many of our U23 players are in the 50 to 100 game level. Freo will be up there big time. JLo will be a conversation for Cornes, Sumich, King...but you can be sure the under achieving Clarkson, Mitchell and Brad Scott won't get the same press treatment. Jlo won't be the narrative at Freo. He'll be quietly renewed as the season unfolds (3 more years) and then the feral press will criticise the reappointment. Mitchell is the interesting one. He has done a lot less with his mob than Longmuir has done with a younger group. Mind you, Rossie would have delivered a flag by now if he was allowed the 5th year of his 5 year plan.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Jlo better do something this year otherwise it’s curtains. Freo can’t be mediocre anymore you need sustained success. Is it possible Don.