The West Coast Eagles’ terrible 2023 season is likely to result in a significant list clean-out as the club strives to relaunch.
Another disappointing season will almost certainly result in a significant list revamp. MARK DUFFIELD reveals the Eagles players on the verge of being released.
They are not yet doomed, but if West Coast opts for an end-of-year purge, these are the players most likely to be delisted.
The Eagles appear to have reached a point where they have accepted that games record holder Shannon Hurn, 35, will retire, but they are still looking for ways to keep Luke Shuey, 33, and are already committed to letting Nic Naitanui, also 33, decide his own fate as his recovery from major Achilles tendon surgery continues.
This means that at least six – and possibly more – younger players may have to be delisted. These are the Eagles’ troubled young men.
Clark, Gregg
Clark, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been utilized on the wing for the majority of his games since being recruited as an inside midfielder. He was a fantastic WAFL player at Subiaco. At the AFL level, it hasn’t quite translated.
Foley, Luke
At the end of the year, I will be out of contract. He’s been good in a couple of roles, primarily as a medium-sized defender, but now is a poor moment to be a mid-range player with a contract expiring with the Eagles. If he is delisted, another team should check into him.
Zane Trew’s
Contract expires at the end of 2023. He has shown talent and has been in strong form in the WAFL. He is strong about the stoppage, has wonderful hands, and sure feet, but he appears to be far down the selection pecking order. He, like Foley, would be worth another club’s consideration. He was delisted and then reinstated last year after losing his mother to cancer.
Connor West’s
Contract expires at the end of 2023. He is a willing competitor who always gives his all, which sadly means the Eagles will believe they have seen the best of him. It’s never been quite good enough to earn a position in the AFL, but the circumstances have been tricky.
Winder, Isiah
Contract expires at the end of 2023. He didn’t help himself in the off-season when he got into trouble in Geelong after an Indigenous players’ meeting. Has talent, but has been sidelined for much of the season due to injury. Would have to put in a lot of effort in the final few weeks of the season.
Mr. Xavier O’Neill
Contract expires at the end of 2023. Interesting player, and one could say that he has never been given a fair shot at selection. He had his greatest game last year against Collingwood, for example, when he had 24 disposals in a big upset at Marvel Stadium. The following week, he was fired.
Also keeping a careful eye on…
Culley, Jai
Out of contract, but the club is expected to wait until his recuperation from a knee reconstruction is complete before making a final decision, so he should get at least one more year.
Edwards, Harry
Mr. Luke Edwards
Out of contract, which is a concern, although he is said to be more in favor than several players his age. The question is, how good is he at the AFL level? Has played on the flank, but appears to be better suited to an inside role.
Seton Samo Petrevski
Out of contract, but has a history of being chosen when available. When fit, he has been deployed as a pressure forward with some success in the second half of the season. Survivability is reasonable.
Rotham, Josh
He still has a year left on his deal. He is agile and versatile, but he appears to be lacking in confidence, and it appears that the coach has lost faith in him. This season’s injuries haven’t helped, with a fractured arm and a broken finger destroying any genuine possibility of continuity. He explored for other opportunities last year and found none, but he is contractual and may survive.
