Premiership Eagle Peter Sumich has suggested that West Coast needs to take a skills-based approach to the rebuild, rather than fixating on game-plans after a grim start their season.
The Gold Coast Suns handed West Coast an embarrassing 87-point loss at Optus Stadium – a result new coach Andrew McQualter would not have wanted to start his new era as club head coach.
West Coast were crushed in the contest – winning only one centre clearances at half time, and let Gold Coast run rampant, pile on 20.16 (136) and hold the Eagles to 7.7 (49).
In doing this, Gold Coast were able to record their largest win in club history and start their 2025 season on a significant high.
Speaking to SportFM, Sumich says the result is disappointing given the hype in the lead up to Round 1.
“I think everyone walks away flat and disappointed and disgruntled a little bit, to be honest with you, because of all the chest beating and all that going on with West Coast,” he said.
“They’ve got this player and that player, and this bloke’s going to produce, and I thought it was a bit of a 50-50 game, to be honest with you because I don’t know where Gold Coast is at.
“After yesterday, we know where Gold Coast is at, they’re going to be striving for the eight, and West Coast, at the moment, will be bottom two.”
Statistically, West Coast were beaten or matched in every area, having -72 disposals, -33 inside 50s, -17 clearances and -43 in contested possessions.
Most damningly, West Coast had 19 hit outs to Gold Coast’s 77, with Gold Coast ruck Jarrod Witts’ finishing on 68 hit outs and dominating against Matt Flynn who only managed 13.
With such a significant deficit in all statistics but tackles, which they won by one, Sumich is concerned skills are being overlooked in favour game plan development.
“I know McQualter is a new coach, and Hardwick’s pumping him up and all that, and I don’t want to bag the coach,” he said.
“At the end of the day, when I hear a coach talk just about game plan, I get worried because he can’t execute a game plan without quality skills.
“Why aren’t we just talking about skills and effort and get that right for 12 months?
“Let’s even throw this game plan out the door, and even play some one-on-one football, get rid of the game plan, just execute some skills.”
He proposed they take a similar approach to Hawthorn, who went from zero-to-hero within a matter of seasons and are already in the conversation for the flag this season.
“Sam Mitchell did that with Hawthorn a few years back, still got some beltings along the way, but I think they’re a pretty good skilful side now, after two or three years,” he said.
“I just wonder why coaches go down a path without understanding that you can’t execute a game plan if you’re turning it over all the time, and then you’re not executing if the effort’s not there.”
IMAGE: West Coast Eagles