After registering one of their most porous campaigns in club history in 2023, the Eagles hope their latest injection of youthful talent pays dividends next season and beyond.
Possessing the first overall draft choice this year certainly helped West Coast's future cause; selecting prodigious Victorian midfielder Harley Reid to supplement a young contingent of burgeoning Eagles.
In terms of their manoeuvres during the player movement period, the Eagles re-introduced livewire forward Tyler Brockman to his home state, as well as attained ruckman Matt Flynn from the GWS Giants via free agency.
In addition to Reid, West Coast added his namesake Archer Reid (No.30 National Draft pick), local talent Clay Hall (No.38), Harvey Johnston (No.49), Coen Livingstone (Category B rookie), and Loch Rawlinson (Rookie Draft) through this year's drafts.
On the other side of the ledger, West Coast farewelled stalwart champions Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn, as well as fan-favourite ruckman Nic Naitanui, at the conclusion of the season; ushering in a new era at Lathlain.
We assessed West Coast's list and produced our projected best 23 for the Eagles as they prepare to embark on another rebuilding campaign.
ADELAIDE CROWS, BRISBANE LIONS, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG CATS, GOLD COAST SUNS, GWS GIANTS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, NORTH MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND, ST KILDA, SYDNEY SWANS.
3. Forwards
Veteran goalscorers Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps, and Liam Ryan, as well as star-in-the-making key forward Oscar Allen – who was the Eagles' only 2023 All-Australian nomination – make up the brunt of West Coast's forward-line firepower, with the addition of ex-Hawk Brockman adding an electric element to the Eagles' smaller brigade.
2023 Mid-Season Draft top choice Ryan Maric, small forwards Noah Long and Jack Petruccelle, and recent draftee Archer Reid should also find themselves in the Eagles' forward mix at different stages throughout the 2024 season.
With Darling and Cripps' careers progressively winding to a close, opportunities will begin to arise for the likes of Reid and Maric, as well as Jack Williams and Callum Jamieson, in the tall forwards department, while early signs suggest Long fits the Cripps mould.
