WEST Coast heads into the 2025 AFL Draft armed with the first two picks and a deep Next Generation Academy (NGA) pool to dip into. The Eagles are coming off a one-win season and have lost their co-captain to free agency, but can look forward to further regeneration through young talent.

>> 100+ PROFILES: View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: 18th | 1-22 | 60.1%
2025 PICKS: 1, 2, 13, 34, 41
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1, ’26 R2, STK ’26 R2, ’26 R3, ’26 R4, WB ’26 R4 | ’27 R1, ’27 R2, ’27 R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Bailey Banfield (F/S), Koby Evans, Wes Walley, Tylah Williams (all NGA)

FIRST PICK(S):
Picks 1 & 2

It is no secret that the Eagles’ most likely combination with picks one and two is Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler – in that order. The Duursma selection seems like somewhat of a formality at this point, though what West Coast does next is a little more up in the air.

Living up to the tag of the most compromised draft we’ve ever seen, Gold Coast academy product Zeke Uwland is poised to be the second name called out on night one. After that bid is swiftly matched, the Eagles will be back on the clock to likely snap up Duff-Tytler.

There is a world where the Eagles instead opt for 192cm Eastern Ranges bolter Sullivan Robey, while many fans have been crying out for a bankable inside midfielder like Dyson Sharp. West Coast’s glaring key defensive hole also makes a bid for Carlton father-son nominee Harry Dean reasonable.

With Duursma, the Eagles can somewhat cover that gap in defence with a long-term view on him supporting Harley Reid in midfield. He has been the standout prospect this year. Meanwhile, Duff-Tytler offers long-term ruck support and can chop out up forward amongst a promising group of talls.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 13, 34, 41

Pick 13 arguably isn’t the greatest spot for West Coast to pick for needs, especially considering the defensive hole left by Jeremy McGovern. After Dean, South Australian Blake Thredgold is the next best positional option, though it would arguably be a stretch to select him in this range.

With that in mind, if Sharp slides past both Essendon and Hawthorn he would be a great fit – though it seems unlikely. Local boy Jacob Farrow could offer support as a makeshift third tall down back, but is a similar type to Duursma with his movement and likelihood to play midfield long-term.

If those two options are in mind, perhaps West Coast could look to get up the order and target Carlton’s pick nine. Otherwise, small forward Lachy Dovaston is a good fit with his speed and scoreboard pressure, while high-marking SA goalkicker Mitchell Marsh is also in the right hitting zone.

Looking further down the order, and local rival Fremantle is said to be considering a bid on Eagles NGA prospect Tylah Williams with pick 20. Ideally, West Coast would be willing to match for a pick in the 30s for its leading club-tied talent. It makes for somewhat of a conundrum later on night one.

If pick 34 remains in-tact, West Coast has also been linked to Suns Academy midfielder Beau Addinsall, with Gold Coast under increasing pressure to keep hold of its five likely academy draftees. Regardless, the Eagles will use four picks in the National Draft with Tyrell Dewar being upgraded from the rookie list.

There is one Category B rookie spot available, and potentially three more club-tied talents to consider. The best case scenario sees NGA graduate Koby Evans and fathers-son nominee Charlie Banfield get through without a bid, while Wesley Walley has always shaped as a likely rookie choice.

West Coast has also already committed to handing delisted pair Deven Robertson (Brisbane) and Finlay Macrae (Collingwood) AFL lifelines having been afforded rookie list concessions. The Eagles also traded away a sixth pick with only five list spots open, gaining a future fourth round selection from the Bulldogs.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Will West Coast spring a surprise with pick two?
– How will an early Tylah Williams bid impact West Coast’s hand?
– How many of West Coast’s aligned players will get through the door?