2021 was an unfamiliar season for the Eagles, who missed the finals for the first time since 2014. It’s been a nightmare pre-season for West Coast with an abundance of injuries and off field drama, can Adam Simpson’s side find a way to overcome the adversity? Or will it be the beginning of a rebuild for the Eagles?
Jack Tobin will be previewing EVERY team in the lead up to the 2022 season, while PuntingInDanger and his crew will be back this year to give their betting tips on every game. Be sure to head to the AFL Tips page for regular updates!
West Coast Eagles Season Preview
Squad
In: Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton), Campbell Chesser (Pick 14), Brady Hough (Pick 31), Rhett Bazzo (Pick 37), Jack Williams (Pick 57), Greg Clark (Pick 62)
Out: None
The Eagles had a quiet trade period, they picked up Sam Petrevski-Seton from Carlton for pick 52 but kept their focus on the draft. Campbell Chesser became West Coast's first first round selection since 2017, in a pick swap with Port Adelaide which netted the Eagles a second round pick in 2022. West Coast also picked up WAFL star Greg Clark, who had been overlooked in six drafts.
West Coast started their 2021 campaign with a 6-3 record, and it looked like the Eagles were destined for another deep finals run. However the Eagles went 4-9 from round 10 onwards, as their aging list showed signs of vulnerability that will likely lead to a rebuild over the coming years.
2022 has gotten off to a horror start with Elliot Yeo (calf), Dom Sheed (syndesmosis), Campbell Chesser (ankle), Luke Shuey (hamstring), Oscar Allen (foot), Jamie Cripps (pectoral), Tom Cole (ankle), Luke Edwards (groin), Greg Clark (ac joint) are all out through injury, as well as Jack Darling who hasn’t been vaccinated yet and will likely miss the entirety of the season.
These injuries will force the Eagles to give some of their younger players opportunities in the midfield. Recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jamaine Jones, Jack Petruccelle and Connor West are all set to gain midfield minutes in what will be an unusual West Coast side in round one.
Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling have been one of the most prolific key forward duos across the last decade and in the past few seasons, Oscar Allen’s emergence has created a genuine three headed monster inside the West Coast forward 50. With Darling out indefinitely and Allen out for at least the first month of the season, it’s going to be a tough ask for the Eagles to kick winning scores early in the season.
Breakout Player: Sam Petrevski-Seton
Petrevski-Seton was taken by Carlton at pick 6 in the 2016 draft as a midfielder, but was stuck deep in defence during his five seasons with the Blues. His move to the Eagles was set to grant more opportunities in the midfield, and now with the massive injury list at West Coast, Petrevski-Seton will get a consistent role in the Eagles midfield. Petrevski-Seton adds some much needed pace and aggression to a one paced Eagles midfield.
What Do The Eagles Need To Do In 2022?
With very little hope around the Eagles this season, the goal is very simple - play the kids. Connor West, Harry Edwards, Luke Edwards, Xavier O’Neill, Bailey Williams and Luke Foley need to be given games to help rejuvenate the Eagles list. For the entirety of Adam Simpson’s tenure he’s been reluctant to play younger players but with the injuries that West Coast has, Simpson has next to no choice but to get games into his young players.
VERDICT
With Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly, Jeremy McGovern, Jack Redden, Liam Ryan, Willie Rioli and Shannon Hurn still in the side, West Coast still have enough quality that they won’t be in danger of finishing in the bottom four. Their home ground advantage at Optus Stadium will help them, however this Eagles side was already on the decline and with the horrendous pre-season that they’ve had has only made life more difficult for them. Their possession based system is outdated and needs a lot of adjustment as teams took them apart in the second half of 2021. It’s going be a difficult season for the Eagles.
