AFL Talent Ambassador Michael Sheehan says West Coast should look beyond the draft to improve their list, stating it isn’t the only solution.
It comes as debates continue about whether West Coast should apply for an assistance package in this year’s draft after spending several years struggling at the bottom of the ladder.
The Eagles have one of the youngest and most inexperienced lists, ranked 17th in both areas, and have since gone on to win one game and secure the club’s third wooden spoon.
They have also lost the experience of Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed to retirement, while the likes of Elliot Yeo, Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman have had their year derailed with season-ending injuries.
Speaking to SportFM, Sheehan says they should be chasing players they think can play a role in helping their young list develop.
“The average new talent coming into each club is about seven new players, but they might be looking at three or four other trades, making ten changes, as some clubs do,” he said.
“They turn players over to try and find the right mix. They can’t just look at a national draft and think that’s a solution.
“There’s going to be trades and out-of-contract players that they think can help their list. It’ll be a challenging few months for them to sort their way through it and make an important call on that first choice.
“If they hold choice one, we presume they will. They’re going to get a terrific young player that is going to excite their fans at least.”
Having pick 1 and first access to the best young talent in the country is irresistible for any redeveloping club, with West Coast having no plans to trade pick 1.
Last time West Coast had pick 1, it was clear who they needed to take, selecting young gun Harley Reid with their first pick in the 2023 National Draft.
This time, they have three possible options to consider at pick 1, and potentially pick 2 should co-captain Oscar Allen depart West Coast under free agency, earning the club a compensation pick.
The National Under-18 Championship wrapped up last month, with South Australia taking the title against Victoria Country, with two of the frontrunners, Dyson Sharp and Willem Duursma, playing in the final.
Sheehan says West Coast can’t ignore Sharp.
“He’s well prepared, a dominant player in the national championships, led them to victories, he’s a captain and a leader, a demonstrative leader too,” he said.
“He loved to compete, he was right for running through, coming down the race, setting standards that were let’s beat this lot.
“He was a star right throughout, so he’s going to be right there with the way he has played, and he’s ready to run, too. A strong-bodied boy.”
If they opt not to split pick 2, like they did in 2022 to draft Elijah Hewett and Reuben Ginbey, it will come down to two Victorian talents, Duursma – brother of Xavier, Yasmin and Zane Duursma – and Vic Metro’s Cooper Duff-Tytler.
“As they often say, the youngest is the best. We think he (Duursma) is,” says Sheehan.
“His most recent game that I saw was the Vic Country-Vic Metro game, and he was best on the ground. Dominated with 30-odd possessions and can play through midfield or cross half back…He’s a rising star for sure.”
“(Cooper Duff-Tytler) is your tall one, your Luke Jackson type. He’s a basketballer and represented Australia like Luke.
“All Australian this year, great collector of the footy around the ground as well as a dangerous player when he pushes forward. He’s got all those attributes at 200 centimetres. He’s going to be a very good AFL player.”
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