u/--Not-You--

it was a tough week in Western Sydney.

We add Flynn, Davis and Schoenberg to the squad.
No outs at this stage.
Strong chance that we go in unchanged.

Extended bench named. Johnston and Brock confirmed outs.

Are we happy with these changes? Who do we want to see lining up on Sunday?

https://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/2092248/squad-selection-baker-back-for-collingwood-clash

Champion of his club, I like his story, and hats off on a great career.

With the links to West Coast as a player for next season we have dodged a bullet. He would have been 34 next season, and not what we are needing to bring in to the list.

No disrespect to Nathan at all and I can see a world where he is on our extended coaching list next year.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1576945/triple-flag-richmond-tiger-nathan-broad-calls-it-a-day

Edited - It looks like Dev is already locked in for 2027

As painful as the last few years have been, I've enjoyed the end-of-season list management speculation. There's something strangely exciting about working out who stays, who goes, and which new faces might arrive. The only difference this year is that we're probably saying goodbye to a few players that plenty of us actually rate or would like to keep - a sign that the rebuild is in full swing.

There's still a fair bit of work to do with our list. We currently have 15* players out of contract at the end of 2026. There will be a minimum of six list delistings (three long-term injury replacement and three draft picks), but I wouldn't be surprised if that number ends up closer to seven or eight. Based on the current ladder, we hold six draft picks (3, 21, 39, 53, 57 and 65). I can't see us taking fewer than four players through the draft/trade period as the rebuild continues. This is the last year before the Tassie draft picks start to dilute the availability, so you'd imagine that clubs at the lower end f the ladder will be looking to capitalise on this years draft.
*15, however Cripps has retired so its really 14

Current list of out of contract at the end of 2026:

Clay Hall, Fred Rodriguez, Harry Barnett, Harry Schoenberg, Harvey Johnston, Jack Williams, Jacob Newton, Jamie Cripps, Malakai Champion, Marcus Herbert, Matthew Flynn, Noah Long, Rhett Bazzo, Tom Cole & Tyler Brockman

I've split them into three groups.

I'd be stunned if they aren't re-signed:

• Jack Williams
• Marcus Herbert
• Rhett Bazzo

Marcus Herbert is the only slight query I have. We only signed him on a six-month deal, and with current form I'd imagine there'll be serious interest from other clubs. We want him here, but does he want to head home?

I can't see them being on the list next:

• Harry Barnett
• Jamie Cripps (retired)

The genuine list squeeze – Really simplified and being somewhat conservative keep 5 and get rid of 5 from the below:

• Clay Hall
• Fred Rodriguez
• Harry Schoenberg
• Harvey Johnston
• Jacob Newton
• Malakai Champion
• Matthew Flynn
• Noah Long
• Tom Cole
• Tyler Brockman

So the conversation is who goes and who stays?

I don't think there's a huge amount of trade currency in this group. Clay Hall is probably the one player who might attract some interest from a club looking for midfield depth.

I actually think Tom Cole survives. He's proven to be versatile, can play multiple roles and still provides some valuable leadership around a very young list.

I also think Matt Flynn stays. He's ideal insurance if Bailey Williams goes down long-term while Archer Reid and CDT continue developing. Even if he's not best 22, he still has value. OR does he transition into more of a WAFL leadership/coaching role?

I struggle to see all three of Malakai Champion, Noah Long and Tyler Brockman being delisted. From a list balance perspective, I'd expect at least one to survive.

Does Elliot Yeo retire and free up another list spot? I see this as extremely unlikely.

Harvey Johnston also seems to be the preferred depth option whenever Hutchinson is unavailable. Is that enough to earn another one-year deal?

Trade targets

Its early days, however the below players have been linked as potential trade targets – does this change our delisting strategy

Arty Jones – Probably the most realistic target. Out of contract and seems like a natural fit for the small forward role we've struggled to lock down.

Nathan Broad - This one feels increasingly genuine. Baker has publicly endorsed the idea, Mini has done his usual sidestep whenever asked, and Broad fills an obvious need. I don't rate it (based upon his age), but if he arrives, an additional player from the list above probably misses out.

Joel Jeffrey – Plenty of media noise around this one, but he's contracted, so we'd need to trade for him

Lachie Neale — Still possible, but feels less likely than it did a few months ago

Trent Rivers – The WA connection is obvious, but given he'd require significant trade capital, I'm not convinced we have the assets to get it done

Maybe I'm looking at our list with West Coast coloured glasses on, but I don't really see much trade capital on our list e.g. clubs going after our players.

Personally, I think we're still about 12 months away from making a serious run at the really big names like Chad Warner etc.

 

I've also ignored the possibility of delisting contracted players, which is always an option, but I'd be surprised if we went down that path (e.g. Owies).

These are the team line-ups from the last time we played Brisbane (Round 2, 2025 for those playing along at home). We all knew the list had been shaken, stirred and then launched into the nearest industrial shredder, but seeing the two teams side-by-side is genuinely absurd.

Just 7 of the 23 Eagles expected to run out this weekend also played in that 19-point loss to Brisbane in March last year. Brisbane, meanwhile, have 17 players from that same match still lining up.

This player turnover almost resembles a Duggan stat line!

Peak Rebuild Energy!

https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-coast-eagles/why-brisbane-lions-coach-chris-fagan-has-been-left-scrambling-to-prepare-for-west-coast-eagles-clash-c-22585271

The West Coast Eagles have re-signed midfielder Sam Allen, with the 19-year-old extending his initial two-year draft contract through to 2028.

Allen arrived at West Coast via pick 29 in last year's AFL Draft and has impressed the club with his professionalism and dedication since joining the program.

Archer Reid has been put on ice ruled out for the season. The decision has been made to place Reid's long-term development first as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Tyler Brockman is out for the rest of the year. He showed some glimpses last season pinch hitting in the middle, but no one will be surprised if he isn't offered a contract renewal at the end of the year. We didnt get or see the best of him.

The WAFL side will take a hit with Barnett, Champion and Lindsay all taking a week to recover from injuries.

And Sam Allen and our Prince listed as 5 weeks. Both players are continuing to build towards potential returns later in the season. However with only 6 weeks left in the season why we haven't committed to putting these two on ice seems strange

The good news is there was no injury to Starcevich. After being all but stretchered off the ground he recovered on the day to go back out and play out the game.

So 12 on the injury list, but the reality is there are 2 or 3 out from our best 23.

https://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/2069586/west-coast-eagles-injury-update-round-19

For those following the mystery of Archer Reid.

Young West Coast forward Archer Reid has undergone knee surgery in a bid to make a comeback in the final weeks of the season.

Reid has not played since the round six western derby, but Eagles coach Andrew McQualter revealed they believe they have solved the problem plaguing the 20-year-old’s knee.

“Archer had a little procedure last week, which we’re hopeful we’ve found something that will help him in the short term,” he told 7NEWS on Monday night.

“So, he’s just got to recover from that surgery now, and we will sort of learn more as he starts to progress through the next stage of his rehab.

“We’re hopeful we’ve discovered what the problem is, and we’re certainly planning for him to be available again this year. It is a bit of a wait-and-see. He has missed a lot of football now, unfortunately.

“He’ll have a couple of weeks off running and then build himself back up.”

Reid ended last season in the injury ward after sustaining tendon damage in his toe.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-coast-eagles/west-coast-eagles-forward-archer-reid-undergoes-knee-surgery-as-tim-kelly-set-to-return-against-adelaide-c-22503957

Thought Id post this one since there was nothing official on the WC page.

The Good: Coming out of the bye it looks as though Sam Allen will be the only unavailable player who isn't out for the season (assuming Cripps, H Edwards and Ginbey don't get back for any meaningful amounts of time).

Hutch listed as a test. He was huge off the half forward in his few games back at AFL level. I'd be very happy to have him available for a recall

The Bad: Archer Reid still doesn't make a mention (maybe he would have if there was a Phil Merriman update). His last WAFL game was 31st May. Prior to that his last AFL game was 19th April where he was listed as "knee soreness" the following week.

Also it would be good to get some timelines with the likes of Cripps and Ginbey (particularly Ginbey so we can get our hopes up)

Malakai Champion will front the WAFL Tribunal next week after allegedly blowing his nose on an opponent.

https://www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list

Also, no WAFL this weekend which is in line with the AFL Players’ Association Collective Bargaining Agreement. It requires all AFL players to have at least four consecutive days off during the mid-season break, so West Coast ensure the AFL and WAFL byes align.