WITH season proper and trade period done and dusted, AFL fans and staff alike now turn their attention towards the draft (November 28-30). The chaos has settled on player and pick swaps, and budding prospects have completed their combines, leaving a nervous wait until they learn their fate.

In the next of our club by club previews, we take a look at West Coast’s draft hand and offer insight into how the Eagles may utilise the picks at their possession. With plenty of local talent up for grabs, they may snap up a couple of real bolters after splitting pick two.

2022 FINISH: 17th

CURRENT PICKS: 8, 12, 20, 26, 71

FUTURE PICKS: WCE R1, WCE R2, PTA R2, WCE R3, PTA R3, WCE R4

ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Nil.

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:

Coming in at pick eight, which is certain to slide down a spot after father-son bidding, West Coast likely has local talent on its agenda. There has been plenty of interest in a couple of particular West Australians in the Eagles’ hitting zone, namely Reuben Ginbey and Edward Allan.

Ginbey may already be off the board by then though, with the likes of Gold Coast, Hawthorn and Geelong lurking within the top 10. The Cats are also said to have some interest in Allan given West Coast is high on him.

Both are notably well-rounded athletes with high upside. Ginbey would offer size and a hard edge in midfield or behind the ball, while Allan has the scope to play just about anywhere as a balanced 194cm utility – albeit with a small sample size.

With midfield depth in mind, the Eagles may also look at Cameron Mackenzie. Though he hails from Victoria, the Sandringham Dragons product is well travelled and has that desirable blend of speed and size on-ball.

REMAINING CROP:

Eagles fans won’t have to wait long to see their club put back on the clock. Pick 12 looms as an interesting pivot point in the first round and there should be some serious quality available. Sticking on the local route, Jedd Busslinger seems a nice fit for long-term key defensive cover. The Eagles may also hope that one of Allan or Mackenzie slips past the likes of St Kilda, Carlton, and the Bulldogs.

There’s a chance explosive midfielder Elijah Hewett slides down the order, perhaps around the Eagles’ third pick (20). That’d be a steal for the Swan Districts prospect who spent most of the year plying his trade at senior level.

Also in consideration for the Eagles’ second rounders are the likes of Coby Burgiel, Jakob Ryan, and Hewett’s club teammate Darcy Jones. Burgiel and Jones would add to the speed of new recruit Jayden Hunt, while Ryan looms as a utility whose athleticism and sound skills make him a highly versatile type who arguably plays best off half-back.

West Coast is tipped to make either four or five selections at this year’s draft, with around 55-60 players expected to be picked up.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Is West Coast better off for parting with pick two?
– Will local talent make up the Eagles’ entire draft haul?
– Will West Coast primarily look to bolster its midfield group?