Following the conclusion of another hectic, fast-finishing home and away season, it's time to prepare for finals football once again.
While eight teams' hopes of holding this year's premiership cup aloft remain alive, ten clubs' seasons are officially over after failing to qualify for September football.
Despite all the attention rightly being on the contenders, each bottom-ten side faces pertinent list management decisions that will shape its future.
Taking into account draft hands and off-contract commodities, we explore those impending decisions facing 2023's bottom ten.
West Coast
Indicative draft hand: 1, 19, 35, 38, 54, 57, 75.
The Eagles have the unique opportunity to select a premier talent at November's festivities, holding the first selection at this year's National Draft after Round 24's favourable results.
Despite an inspired effort against Adelaide on Saturday night while farewelling stalwarts Shannon Hurn and Luke Shuey, the Crows bested the Eagles at Optus Stadium to send the Lathlain club back to the ladder's cellar after the Roos upset Gold Coast in Hobart.
West Coast's ultimate decision regarding the No. 1 pick will shape the night's ensuing proceedings, with Harley Reid's overwhelming presence only slated to increase in prevalence as we approach the moment his AFL future is officially confirmed.
The Eagles are also armed with a pair of picks – currently 35 and 54 – courtesy of Port Adelaide, following the gargantuan 2022 trade deal that saw former Roos No. 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis depart Arden Street in favour of Alberton, as well as forward Willie Rioli, who swapped West Coast for Port.
As things currently stand, the Eagles have vast capital at their disposal, with the potential to add even more if their list committee decides to split the opening selection.
With the prodigious Reid expected to be courted by Victorian rivals and versatile West Australian Daniel Curtin also ready to embark on his AFL journey, there's a probable chance we see another change in the owner of the No. 1 pick before November 20.
Off-contract players:
Jordyn Baker, Greg Clark, Jai Culley, Tyrell Dewar, Luke Foley, Jamaine Jones, Xavier O'Neill, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Zane Trew, Jake Waterman, Connor West, Isiah Winder, Alex Witherden.
The Eagles avoided potentially difficult decisions regarding off-contract veteran pair Shannon Hurn and Luke Shuey, with the duo deciding to call it a career in August.
Midfielder Jai Culley continues to firm as one of West Coast's foremost retention priorities, as the No. 1 2022 Mid-Season Draft pick remains unsigned at Lathlain to this late point in the year. As he continues to recover from an ACL rupture that prematurely ended his season, the Eagles are understood to be 'progressing' toward securing a new deal for Culley.
An intriguing off-contract situation is that of high-possession defender Alex Witherden. The ex-Lion has frequently bobbed up in West Coast's back half, gathering disposals as the ball has spent an inordinate amount of time in the Eagles' defensive sector this season. However, as he is largely an uncontested player, there remain questions about his true value going forward.
Jamaine Jones, Zane Trew, and Connor West appear likely to earn new short-term deals, while a significant cloud hangs over the playing future of Jake Waterman as he continues to battle a serious health concern.
List decisions
The majority of West Coast's list manoeuvres are likely to centre on the draft and the capital the club possesses heading into this year's busy November period.
The likeliest possibility revolves around the Eagles offloading their prime draft choice in order to secure multiple early selections littered across the first pair of rounds.
In addition to that scenario possibly unfolding, West Coast could be the beneficiary of exporting one or more of its current crop of players to contending clubs, in exchange for picks. The likes of key defender Tom Barrass and livewire forward Liam Ryan have reportedly been sought after by rival clubs, with the Swans thought to be targeting a key-position pillar and the Hawks potentially interested in acquiring Ryan to their burgeoning forward line.
In any case, the Eagles seem destined to be 'sellers' instead of 'buyers' at this year's trade period, whether it be offloading veterans or splitting picks.
