The West Coast Eagles Rebuild | The Draft 2024

[@tom.macca3]

I often wonder what I did in a past life to deserve having to watch Witherden and Rotham playing together for my team.

[@justicedemocrat9357]

Did you diddle a kid?

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

haha yeah, Witherden is a tough watch :)

[@TrevorPhilipsBro]

Agree. Nobody is talking about why Easendons hack reject coach was recruited. Seriously, Matthew Knights? And who thought that was a good idea… those people need to go too.

[@George-xb5ey]

Mathew knights the one to ruin one of the greatest full forwards of all time.

[@fren183]

@@George-xb5eyhow so?

[@Bucky1999]

Although moving older players on that are not offering enough at AFL level is the number 1 priority for West Coast, the big elephant in the room is their WAFL side. The side has been left hamstrung by the WAFL due to the rules regarding recruiting at that level and often resort to bringing in amateurs to fill the side. Without experienced big body players, the young draftees have been left out to dry due to the large number of injuries at AFL level. This has not only stagnated player development but also the culture/abilty to win games seems to be to be non existent at this level as compared with the peel thunder the alignment club for freo. This has also filtered into the seniors. This is will be a major reason why West coast will not cut as deep as they need or else they leave the younger players vulnerable at WAFL level yet again. Having some senior players stay on the list next year would be beneficial to the Wafl side and developing young players. A good example of this was the previous game against west perth, with darling being dropped back to the WAFL it freed up Archer Reid to have impact on the game, where as in previous games he took the number 1 defender and had little impact on games. Just a little food for thought.

[@deanbeissel2807]

@@Bucky1999 good points. No coincidence that the wafl midfield looks awesome when dom sheed is in, he is instructive in there. Gaff not so much I guess. Sheed seems to organise the young guys well in the wafl

[@r1ftz793]

Don’t think Ginbeys a mid, more of a hb.

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

Yeah, he played a bit of defence as a junior and hasn’t been an exclusive mid at afl level but I think they see him there long term!

[@trevwilmot2112]

Spot on Ginbey doesn’t have the smarts or awareness to play midfield. Hes very much a back man that has to be given specific directions.

[@dillon321]

I think he is given time, gets played on the outside a lot due to yeo and Kelly having first dibs, I could see him developing to a real crash and bash inside guy given he gets reps there.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@r1ftz793 waste of a pick then

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

There's far too many Eagles fans who forever talk about any non-KPP's ability to 'play in the midfield.' It shits me to tears. I understand the need for versatility in the modern game, but just draft actual midfielders to play in the midfield and HBF's to play on the HB line. Stop desiring to turn anyone under 195cm into a midfielder.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

Liam RYAN ...??? I FEEL he can.play some midfield if he's fit ...Jamieson is needs to play more as back up ruck

[@BDub2024]

Witherden was really good at times last year. But only got a one year extension from the club. That says it all.

[@BDub2024]

youre right about 2022. Eagles went harder at the draft and got some good kids. at same time their style of play started changing 2022 before change in 2023. but that coincided with the injuries. so as the they were losing, the players lost confidence in each other and the style as the team was constantly changing and full of kids. fact is that to play a chaotic fast paced style of play then you need speedy types. we are not quite at that point yet and still pursuing pacy players.

[@GeoffAnderson-x4v]

Thanks good analysis..

[@stevelewis2080]

Ryan Maric I think plays wing for the rest of the season, I think they see him as that and he's super clean by foot. Culley is still a bit unknown, agree with everything you've said apart from Cripps, who they'll keep at least until his contract's up. Champion will be coming this draft, and Liam Ryan may be surplus depending on if a team wants to trade capital for him.

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

Yep! I didn’t have confirmation of champion when I started the vid 😂 yeah thought Cripps might be the controversial one! Ryan’s a hard one because he’s such a good footballer.

[@TrevorPhilipsBro]

@@stevelewis2080 Maric is good. Honestly says a lot about Simpson. He drops Maric, subs Maric. Plays Darling.

[@BDub2024]

Sheed could have been traded a year or so ago. We didn't need his experience, but I can understand that the club was so shattered with injuries they felt they needed him. But missd a few yeras with ankle and foot injuries. Missed preseason and some of this year too. So very difficult to judge him. I can understand that they don't want to lose him for nothing.

[@LDedia]

A good video mate, just needed to do a few more edits on the timing of players coming in. Brocky and Flynn came over 2023 and first season with us is this season 2024

[@SugarEnthusiast]

Love the Sid Draper call mate, this is who I am hot on, gives us the inside/outside balance that we desperately need. Otherwise Sullivan if available, or Jagga Smith who also have the inside/outside.

[@peterhicks3516]

I agree with you about Alex Witherden: too error prone, often kicks directly to the opposition, no new contract Andrew Gaff: game is too fast for this player that was never too quick, no new contract Don Sheed: Ditto, re Gaff, cut him Jack Darling: No new contract, but keep him as insurance in the WAFL but not Jamie Cripps: still productive at AFL level and provides experience for developing players. Your Team for 2025 is ok FB line: Harry Edwards instead on Callum Jamieson HB line: Maric instead of Burgiel Centre line: Johnston instead of Maric (more speed and outside run than Maric) HF line: agree FF line: Cripps instead of Long Ruck: Either Barnett or Livingstone or Flynn I/C: Long instead of L Edwards

[@BDub2024]

This is Harvey Johnston's first season. He is a late draft pick at end of 2023 and isn't ready yet. Getting WAFL time is good for him and he needs to improve at WAFL level. Brockman has been a disappointment. He has clearly returned and is struggling with our game plan or with worth ethic. He needs more WAFL time to make him hungry. I'd rather give game time to Dewar occasionally. Shuffle those small forwards around and keep them keen. Eagles have given constant game time to Long since recruitment. All based on potential.

[@PeterM1-qx1tz]

Agree with most of what you said except Duggan, the guy should be delisted at the end of the year, he is a very average player, how he became captain is a mystery. Ginbey for me is not going to be an A-Grade midfielder but he could be a gun half back flanker, so I would have Duggan in the WAFL next year and Ginbey taking his place in the backline. As for trading out top picks for average ones... we already passed on Harry Sheezel doing that.. , so how about we DONT ever do that again and just take the best talent available? The kid that Hawthorn want, well if hes half as good as what they think he is,(and I rate Sam Mitchell in that regard) we should just get him for ourselves. We MUST NOT trade top 5 draft picks for any reason, given Tasmania will soon be in the comp and soon the draft will be compromised... we have a GREAT oppurtunity to set outselves up for a flag tilt post 2027 so lets not squander that.

[@TrevorPhilipsBro]

Witherden, Jones, Rotham, Knights, Langer, Pyke, Schofield, Gaff, Darling, Sheed, Cripps, Jamieson, Brockman, Petrucelle. You have to move them all on.

[@samnew4857]

Great video and insight, really enjoyed this watch. I do eel like you might be forgetting about harry edwards? For me he should be in place of jamieson of your 2025 team, but other than that can't disagree on much you've said. I also rate Jai Culley highly, can't wait to see him play AFL soon!

[@BDub2024]

in fact in 2022 we were aiming for Ginbey Allen (went to collingwood) and Hewitt (all 3 big bodied midfielders). At last moment the talk was that Saints wanted Hewitt, so Eagles swapped the picks and went for Hewitt around 12. Allen didn't last to pick 23, with Collingwood getting him. so could have ended up with 3 fast big bodied mids.

[@deanbeissel2807]

Liam Ryan (bro!!!!!!!!) is 27, h Edwards need to be in. Burgiel has been moved to the wing. Johnstone might be a part of the answer to the need for run from back half. Barnett is still a fair way off, he’s not no1 ruck in the wafl for a reason, rucks take a little longer so must be seen as a longer term project. Agreed witherden and Rotham should be gone, but Cripps?! Still one of our more consistent forwards. At the end of 2025, there are a heap of older guys that will be out of contract so next year might be another transition year where there’s a struggle between older guys and younger ones. After that, ginbey, hewett, long, bazzo, j Williams etc will be 22/23 rather than 20/21 and will be better able to handle the load.

[@BDub2024]

I'll give my views then watch video. Eagles pursued a second flag and tried to build on a strong list and hold it together. So followed that plan. They had a number of poor drafts. They only really traded draft picks for Kelly. Not much other trading has occurred unlike other teams. Eagles policy has always been to maintain a stable list and rely on drafting. But drafting was poor. Also even the rookie drafts just didn't seem to recruit anyone of note. Year after year they kept the same rookies. List management was an issue. Club seemed content that it was better to have someone and hold onto them. And that was a better option to going back to the market place. But all that happened was that the guys still got delisted in the early to mid 20s, leaving a massive hole in the 22 to 28 age range. The club should have known that the players werent going to be good enough earlier on. The players they have tried to get in haven't worked out apart from Kelly. All have been disappointments. Since 2022 the club has pursued the draft and seems to be getting better picks. It is following a youth policy under the guidance of senior players who provide leadership. They will be down the bottom for a while, but its a determined effort to go to the draft now.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

WC got sodomized so brutally in the Kelly trade that it would've made Big Bubba in cell block 4 proud... if he hadn't have got put to sleep via a shiv just before it went down.

[@spinkscapes775]

I think West Coast's no. 1 priority should be Tobie Travaglia. We are sorely lacking a player who can be used on transition (either from a HBF or wing). Having said that he's a pick 8-15 prospect and I think if we end up with pick 2/3 then a trade for picks 10 + 15 is a pretty poor return on a trade for close to the highest pick in the draft. Picks 7/8 + 12 seems more fair and would open up some decent options like Lalor/Smith at our first selection. We should pick up another key defender but late in the draft. As stated previously I would like us to pick up Barrat in the 50-60 range.

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

Yeah Travaglia would be amazing at WCE agree with that! Need to split those picks!

[@spinkscapes775]

@@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft as long as it's not for Baker.

[@jlrob85]

I also think we’re missing one more young gun midfielder to see in this new era with Reid and Ginbey

[@trship6274]

We’ve got Culley, Hall, and Trew. We need a decent ruckman.

[@spinkscapes775]

@@trship6274 we've got Williams x 2, Flynn, Livingstone and Barnett currently on our list. Maybe we might pick up another with a later pick (there are no highly rated rucks this draft) but it's not going to be a priority selection.

[@sleekism23]

Loved the video. Think cripps being contracted will make him difficult to move but I agree with all of your older player assessment s. Barnett is a long way off, he hasn’t been rucking because he gets dominated in the taps. V south Freo a predominantly reserves player got 50 hit outs against him. Livingston is also a better forward. He spent half the colts year there, kicked some bags and won colts player of the year. Both off the eye test and statistics, he has out performed Barnett in every game. Barnett doesn’t deserve WAFL minutes currently, no way he can play AFL this year. Harry Edwards is miles ahead of Jamieson. Provides much more offensively and defensively.

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

@@sleekism23 Thanks mate! Fair call on Barnett With his tap work. I remember his under 18s year he was a pretty dominant ruck, I saw him playing fwd this year in wafl and wondered why.

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

Interested to hear your thoughts on Culley?

[@sleekism23]

@@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft I’ve seen nearly all the WAFL games and I agree with your take on Culley. While he doesn’t appear to be super explosive he is composed with the ball, strong in the contest and does hit the scoreboard. Very frustrating Luke Edwards and a few others are in there before him.

[@sleekism23]

@@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft and Barnett U18 year was great and he even did well in some senior SANFL games that year too. Surprised he hasn’t come on.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

@@sleekism23 Barnett in the U18 was good, with the exception being that he was getting pantsed when it came to centre square ruck taps. Barnett was good around the ground and up forward. At present he looks a level below the waffle.

[@ogidy001]

You talked about key positions defenders but didn’t really touch on Harry Edward’s and Rhett bazzo. I think we are slight light on for this type but you need to talk about those guys in that context.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

Those two are why Barrass should be traded while he has good currency.

[@paulduggan7183]

Brisbane have done a great job under Fagan, I can see this as the only way out for the eagles

[@michaelweightman7661]

Need to be getting games into Jack Williams as the third tall and play Hutchinson higher. Williams is getting better and better each game

[@muaythaigoof]

Jack Williams has become a building block

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

If WC bring in Baker, just nuke your phone due to it carrying your membership. WC are dead set taking the mickey if they're even considering bringing in someone as old as Baker. Bringing in Baker for what he'll cost in draft capital shows that the club don't really have a rebuild mindset. To take Baker is to have a dip each way, which shows that those in charge are clueless and the club is rudderless. Bringing in Baker is a rebuild killer.

[@biggi3st3v3]

I dont agree with that. In the space of 2 seasons we've become one of the youngest teams in the league. We have brought in a lot of young talent already, with more to come. But because there is a talent gulf in the 24-28 age bracket, when all the premiership players retire, which is already happening, we could all of a sudden be too young. Its why they signed hunt. They dont want to be like north, who dumped all their veterans and replaced them with rookies, which deprived them of veteran leadership to guide them. How has that worked out so far? Not great id say. Also baker would be great to help drive standards as a triple premiership player alongside 2 timer Graham.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

​@@biggi3st3v3 I don't believe WC have brought in enough quality young talent as of yet. With 23 players being under the age of 24, that's roughly half the list. I think there's 9 of those that won't make the grade at AFL level, with another 8 that I still have doubts about. Some of those that I believe will make the grade won't make for top shelf players. Just because WC have a fair bit of youth doesn't mean they're going to be the players that take the club forward. WC are likely to recycle at least 50% of the current youth over the next 3 seasons, so being a club predominantly made up of youth isn't saying much. It's part and parcel of being in a rebuild. If WC desire more quality youth, they're going to not only need to keep what draft selections they naturally have, but add to it by trading out more veterans. Given that drafting is an imperfect 'science,' it becomes a numbers game - law of averages. Bring in as much youth as quickly as possible. WC entering the VFL stumbled upon this formula by accident, and it went well for them. That's the path that needs to be taken at this time. The time will come for trading and free agency additions, but that time is not now while WC's rebuild is on the clock with Tassie's imminent arrival. I understand the team has a demographic problem. WC tried to stay in the window after their latest premiership and it was only a matter of time until the cliff came. There was always going to be a price to pay, and WC are currently paying it. This can't be avoided, but it can coincidentally be used to the club's advantage. When Tassie comes in, the drafts will be unbelievably compromised, even more so than at present. A youth policy allows WC to still take the cream during this period rather than being artificially propped up by seniors that could win WC a few extra games that elevate their ladder position for no long term gain. 2010 exemplifies this. WC win the spoon in a massively compromised draft where they didn't have access to the initial three selections, but still had early enough draft access to pick a gun midfielder in Gaff. This is what I hope WC taking a youth policy over the next 2 years leads to during the Tassie drafts. Bringing in seniors at this point may lead to an extra win, two or three which during the Tassie draft may knock WC down the draft by 4-6 places if Tassie take every 2nd pick in the top 10 like I expect. The extra wins on WC's draft hand would be a horrific result while still in a rebuild. Acquiring top talent > so-called winning culture. One naturally comes before the other. Acquiring top talent eventually leads to wins. Consistent winning then creates a winning culture. Not enough top talent, not enough wins to create a winning culture. Hence the winning culture argument dished up during rebuilds by some is bunk. Adding seniors via trade and FA during a rebuild for a few extra wins does not create a winning culture. Although you haven't made said bunk argument, our conversation is where it inevitably leads to. I thought I'd save us some time. I don't believe the solution is to plug demographic gaps via trade and free agency at this point in the rebuild, as WC have this year and next year to bring in as much youth as possible before Tassie grape the draft, similar to GC and GWS at their inception. I believe 2026, when draft picks will be extremely diluted, is the right time to trade out picks if the right trade opportunity presents itself. Busslinger when he comes off contract is but one possibility and example. WC should be loading up on youth this year and next, for while WC have plenty of youth, I doubt they have enough quality among said number. Not even close. Bringing in Baker smacks of impatience / not having the stomach for a rebuild. WC's rebuild is a long way from complete. Given this, the demographic issue isn't a big deal. In 4-5 years time it won't be an issue, as the WC's demographic will look like that of a club who's just come out of a rebuild and looking to make its mark on the competition. WC can't be giving up a very limited resource in their draft capital for someone like Baker who doesn't add enough in the here and now, and more importantly to WC's future. The Baker trade just doesn't pass a cost/benefit analysis given Tassie's introduction and the already compromised drafts of the free agency era. Baker supposedly adding leadership and driving standards isn't enough of an incentive to take the club off of a clear need for a youth path. WC already have a leadership group to push requisite standards. Talented youth is what WC lack enough of. Baker diminishes WC's already limited access given WC's historically conservative approach to trading out veterans. It's this historical conservatism is why WC are in no way any danger of ending up like Norf. WC never tear down their list to start a rebuild anew. The rebuild won't go anywhere if WC take a dip in both directions. WC decisively took the top up path to stay in the window, now the time has arrived to decisively take the youth path without the addition of stop gaps, like Ma Baker. WC will be better off for it in the long run, but patience is required. WC have their own premiership heroes driving standards of professionalism for the youth. WC don't need Richmond's for that. Standards are what coaches are for. It's not enough to say WC have plenty of youth at the moment. The amount of quality youth just isn't in place yet to be unnecessarily wasting limited draft capital plugging demographic holes. Simply let it be, as the pain can't be avoided either way.

[@biggi3st3v3]

​@@tracykuvekalovic3213everyone keeps freaking out about tassie diluting the draft, but dont seem to realise its not gonna be like gc and gws. They aren't just gonna be handed picks, a lot of the picks they get they will be required to trade for established players. Also, I never said we have enough youth, I said we have a lot with more to come. Hreid, ginbey, long, hough, hedwards, maric, Hutchinson, dewar, jwilliams have all proven they will likely have good careers while trew, chesser, Hewett, areid, barnett, culley, bazzo are some others who have potential but need a bit more time or injury luck to prove themselves. That's quite a few already. Rebuilds take time, and balancing recruitment of rookies and veterans is important. The key is making sure we don't sell the farm for baker, let freo have him if tigers ask too much and just sign graham as a free agent for that age balance. We need more high end young talent yes, but endless experts have pointed out the fact that the eagles also have a problem in the 24-28 age bracket. We need to fill both needs, not just one. So as long as we don't trade too high of a pick for him, baker helps fill that void so that when our veterans retire/decline more, we are not completely reliant on youth to carry the load. Which could put us in the position to be another north, stuck in the bottom 3 for 5 years.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

@@biggi3st3v3 No one is "freaking out," but those who're keeping Tassie in view are being realistic about their impact upon the draft. GC had 8 picks in the top 13 in 2010. GWS had 11 picks in the top 14. Unless I've missed the AFL making a statement as to what Tassie's 2026 and 2027 draft hands are going to look like, it's fair to assume the GC and GWS model will be in place for Tassie, as the AFL has precedence. Given such precedence, WC, in its current position, cannot afford a blasé 'she'll be right, mate,' attitude. Tassie must be factored in when it comes to WC's rebuild plan, hence why WC should be all-in on acquiring young talent before Tassie leaves everyone taking leftovers. Given you said "we have brought in a lot of young talent already, with more to come", the implication is that 'the focus doesn't need to be solely on bringing in youth, WC can afford to divert resources toward acquiring senior players.' Your implication is what I disagree with, as it's having a dip each way, while underestimating Tassie's impact on the 2026 & '27 drafts. If you asked non-WC fans as to what they thought about WC's list of youngsters that you've named, they would be far from optimistic. I don't see nearly enough top end talent in the group of players you've cited. It's true that under normal circumstances that balancing rookies and veterans is the way to go. Tassie's imminent arrival on the scene means that given WC are in the early stages of its rebuild, WC can't afford to follow a course of normal circumstance. WC need to adapt to the unusual circumstance and adapt quickly. This makes the time ripe for a youth policy. I'm ok with Graham coming in as a free hit, given WC have plenty of players that need to be off-loaded to Tony Galati. I'm against acquiring Baker as it'll cost WC a pick in the 20's, and especially in view of the talent that's said to be on the draft board in that range. Wanting Baker and speaking of "rebuilds take time" / [patience] just doesn't go together. The sugar hit crew want Baker. These so-called experts are in many cases former players who couldn't rub two brain cells together. AFL journalism and punditry for the most part is a sick joke. I don't put much stock into their opinions or appeals to supposed authority. Yes, we do need to fill the need for top end youth and fixing the demographic issue, but with Tassie's arrival imminent and their impact on WC's draft hand, fixing the demographic issue isn't a make or break issue, but the lack of top end youth most definitely is WC's most pressing issue. The time will come to fix the demographic issue, but that time is not this year or next. The Tassie drafts in '26 & '27 is when that issue should fixed. WC can also do it cheaper during that period too, given the diluted state of every team's picks. The point is: draft when the youth can be got, trade during heavily compromised times. A dip each way is indecisiveness. Sort out the glaring issue - top end talent - before fixing minor issues like demographics. WC aren't going to be another Norf, as WC historically hold onto their players longer than necessary. Yeo getting a 3 year deal despite being the wrong side of 30 and being injury prone is a perfect example. A rolling one year deal until he proved he wasn't up to the task would've sufficed, but WC's conservative approach ensures a Norf-like situation won't come about. Yes, WC will have a few more years of being poor, that can't be avoided, given more teams in the competition, no priority pick for 4 or less wins, free agency compromising the draft, etc, but WC never blow up their list, unlike Norf, and now Richmond. I don't advocate blowing up the list, but I do think that the circumstance requires WC trading out 1 or 2 more players beyond Barrass, namely Liam Ryan, and for the right deal, Waterman, as A.Reid and Jilliams are coming through and looking decent. I am concerned that Waterman is going to end up Ben McKinley mkII - a star that shone very briefly for one year then faded just as quickly. WC have never had a better opportunity to sell high and help remedy their greatest issue: top end talent. If WC turned Waterman into Sam Lalor, for example, they'd be hollering like they were running out of Ikea. Now that would worsen the demographic problem, but it goes a fair ways toward remedying the greater problem.

[@biggi3st3v3]

@@tracykuvekalovic3213 a lot will depend on what we get for barrass. If we can turn that loss into 2 picks inside 30 and baker, that is perfect. And it could be done depending on where hawks picks fall. Reality is we need a lot of everything. There is no one way or the highway for us, we need picks and we need to balance the age demographics a bit so we don't get an experience hole when more stars retire. Besides, the baker situation is irrelevant for now. He hasn't yet nominated us, and freo is in a much better position to get him picks wise.

[@BDub2024]

The tricky is the forward line. How can it include BWilliams JWilliams and Allen (remember Flynn or English will be rucking). They are all lumbering types, unless Allen loses weight and become more mobile. So one of the Williams will miss out. You don't really want to lose one of them as they 're both young. Hutchinson runs well and tries, but lacks touch and shouldn't be playing. I think the Eagles are hoping he'll learn a lot from playing and then a full preseason will improve his touch and ball skills. currently he is fumbling a lot.

[@Ozach9476]

we need mids, small/medium backs and a rck. happy with our kpd and kpf

[@Rb-fp7mw]

Luke Edwards has never looked like he can play at AFL level.

[@Fishyfans123]

Harley reid should be playing off half back...to shoot me....I just feel his run would create more opportunities up forward instead of being smashed ea week in the midfield. Cheers

[@mathewdekker8260]

Hey mate liked some of your thoughts, I felt they needed another defender also last year as we only had bazzo and Edwards, but with Jamieson coming in to the defensive half I feel we don’t need key defenders I think we need good ball users and pace back there as we have not had one since Jetta

[@TrevorPhilipsBro]

Did you see Jamieson at the start of the season. He is an absolute HACK

[@mathewdekker8260]

@@TrevorPhilipsBro your opinion not mine

[@trship6274]

They cannot retire Cripps.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

WC are in a rebuilding phase, there's no room for sentimentality. AFL is a cutthroat business with competitors willing to do what it takes to win it all. Sentimentality at this level is a huge weakness. Why would WC willingly attach a millstone to their own neck just for sentimental reasons? Tough times demand tough calls.

[@trship6274]

@@tracykuvekalovic3213 he’s been one their best players all year and has only been flat for the last 2-3 games. He’s a proven performer who adds leadership and experience. It’s not just as simple as not being sentimental.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

Cripps being among WC's best players all year is irrelevant when he's 33yo early into next season. WC are rebuilding, thus need to move past players like Cripps who're taking AFL games off of developing kids who're potentially the future of the club. WC are not in win-now mode, thus there's little need to hold on to Cripps. The 'leadership' he brings is covered by the numerous other experienced players who're at the club. 'Leadership' is the excuse many a fan use to not do what is necessary during a rebuild - trim the fat and trade out beloved premiership heroes.

[@popsceneblur06]

​@@tracykuvekalovic3213it's not sentimentality. He is genuinely one of our best players. You risk cutting too deep if you cut guys who are walk up starts just before they are old. He will play for another year, maybe two

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

@@popsceneblur06 Cripps' best day are long behind him. He has the odd good game nowadays, but he's far from being among WC's best players. That's why I believe keeping him stems from sentimentality; some just can't part with a longtime servant of the club and beloved premiership hero. WC historically don't risk much at all and are very conservative when it comes to trading out their players for draft capital. Just read the forums, for as soon as one player is mentioned as an option for trading out, the happy clapper fanboy brigade start rambling on about the need for 'leadership', 'mentors' and 'culture', as if the one player that's being spoken of makes all the difference. It's nonsense. It stems from sentimentality and a misguided sense of loyalty, while ignoring the fact that the AFL is a cutthroat business where clubs and players are in the vast majority of cases out to serve their own best interests. Let player managers look after their player's interests, while WC act with cold, ruthless efficiency wrt trading and list management. Fans may treasure loyalty and sticking with long serving players, as they've grown emotionally attached to the club and its players, but I see trading in pragmatic terms - what's needed to build a team with a view to the next flag, no sentiment, no loyalty, just cold, hard pragmatism. Keeping Cripps doesn't help WC toward their next flag, so at his age it's better just to let him go now so as to make way for someone who may be part of the next premiership team. WC aren't in the win-now phase, thus they can afford to part with players like Cripps. With Tassie coming in soon, WC must immediately get a ruthless streak in them. Now is not the time for WC to play Mr nice guy. Cut Cripps asap. WC have already shown their soft underbelly by giving Yeo a multi year deal despite his age and injury history instead of giving him a rolling one year deal for someone post 30yo. WC are soft, and far too many of their fans share in their sentiment. It's not what WC's rebuild with Tassie drawing close requires.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

WC are too sentimental and soft when it comes to trading out players of value. If WC are to get serious in hastening this rebuild, they absolutely need to trade out Barrass, Waterman and Ryan. Incentivize their move, and push them out if need be. All those guys can be covered in the short term, albeit with currently lesser players. WC are not going to be a decent side even with those guys in the team, so they may as well get valuable draft capital for them while it can still be got. WC should be looking at what the team can be 5 years from now after trading out players with value, not looking to keep afloat for next season. If WC don't trade out multiple valuable players that can net them good draft capital in return, I have no doubt that this rebuild will stall and fall well short. Tough times call for tough measures - someone tough enough to make tough calls that isn't going to leave everyone happy.

[@jlrob85]

We should give up pick 2 for C Warner who could do for us what Neale has done for Lions

[@milbosclip]

I hope Barnett starts showing something soon as his WAFL form/development has been worrying

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

He and Chesser are the biggest development concerns.

[@nicolacantatore7095]

West Coast could still finish last if north beat them and if Richmond beats north then we have the no 1 pick could be traded for better picks and have the first pick second round split that one also if they finish last

[@OPTIMUS6LTR]

Trew more upside then L Edwards and dont see Jamieson getting a spot in a fit team and certainly not Jamieson/Williams/Barnett only 2 of those at any one time

[@TrevorPhilipsBro]

Jamieson is absolute junk. Edwards and Trew show promise. A young guy showing promise in this environment speaks volumes. Stick with both.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

@@TrevorPhilipsBro Luke Edwards needs to upgrade his CPU, as his decision-making is too slow for AFL level.

[@jarrydreynolds6937]

Bad call on Cripps. He is our best half forward and an example for our younger half forwards to look up to (example being Noah Long). He is far too important to be cut from the list. In terms of importance he is almost as important as Gov and Barrass for our structure.

[@TrevorPhilipsBro]

Did you see him try to gather the ball today. He is 32 and offers nothing. He has to retire.

[@George-xb5ey]

Cripps is average, compare him to what lecra or willie rioli provided us in the forward line its not even close

[@ColinMarinich]

On what planet are West Coast tracking well?

[@RobMac2411]

Pretty sure he just explained it for 20minutes...

[@scottmeyers4856]

Cant see any team splitting picks this year, but i like ur thinking. Im a big fan of M. Reid and wouldnt be a stretch to see wc take him at 3. Smillie has been underwhelming, Sullivan meh. Definitely need a key defender and earlier in the year was hoping for trainor. Unfortunately wc midfield is deplorable so they need a quality mid

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

@@scottmeyers4856 yeah it’s unlikely, a club would have to really like something up ahead! I don’t think the west coast midfield is terrible, Reid needs more fitness. Hewett’s development is really important!

[@scottmeyers4856]

@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft hewett worries me, he's had foot issues since junior days. The best thing wc have done at the recruiting table is to see the back of obrien. Bloke was useless

[@glynwood8760]

No room for Jack Williams, Rhett Bazzo? Rotham is fringe at absolute best, Jamieson has no awareness. Clay Hall?

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

Rotham has been coached into oblivion. Whatever natural footballing instincts he once had that made him draftable have been coached right out of him. He's not worth a crumpet now. Delist.

[@cooperguest1586]

Would’ve been interesting to hear your thoughts about a trade for Liam Baker and how much he’s worth. Would the AFL consider giving WC draft compensations if they finish in the bottom 2 this season? I’d imagine an end of first round pick would get the deal done for baker but do WC be firm and offer their second round pick and then split pick 3 for 2 picks ranging from 8-17.

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

Yeah, I thought about mentioning it! I personally don’t think Liam Baker is a player West Coast need to be going after. He’d improve their starting squad no doubt not sure he’s a great future play. If you could get him with the second round pick it’s probably reasonable but there are some pretty high end KPD’s around that pick 23.

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

Think the AFL will be tough on west coast with compo. Lot of complaining about compromised drafts and West Coast have the “big club” tax.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

@@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft Socialism killing the AFL like it does everything else.

[@ogidy001]

You skipped over pick 3 without discussing it. Whether they split the pick or not is certainly a debate and not a done deal as you basically stated here. Good video otherwise but that bit felt well underdone.

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

If WC trade their first round selection for anything less than two picks in the top dozen would be considered getting pineappled.

[@23doddy]

The Eagles traded for Flynn and Brockman in 2023 not 2022.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Culley, Barrass, Burgiel from this line-up all gone now. I really don't think Ginbey is a midfielder. He's looked best as half back.

[@omgitsweezer3646]

I think Liam Ryan has a promising future at west coast

[@tracykuvekalovic3213]

Liam Ryan should be traded while he's got some value. He'll fall off the cliff sooner than others in a few years time.

[@joshuawhite2800]

Chesser

[@Pfonyx]

Would you consider doing one of these for the Tigers?

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

@@Pfonyx yes! Planning to do one for every club by season’s end!

[@Cupidzarrows]

@@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft not sure if you touched on it but also if you could touch on why and how each top 1 pick contender will benefit Richmond (i.e. how can FOS compliment, Smilie compliment and Smith etc)

[@brettcoles5262]

WC should of traded with North last year.