West Coast will have a fifth top-10 selection in four years, in 2026, as the Eagles continue to build out a list that will compete long-term.
They will also be active early on the second night. They have naturally been linked to several Western Australians ,but others could also suit a club which has a couple of clear areas of the ground to address,
Draft picks: 3, 23, 58, 64, 73, 82, 100
As well as their third selection, the Eagles will also get an end-of-first-round compensation pick, with Dougie Cochrane and likely Cody Walker to both receive bids before the Eagles are on the clock, pushing their top five selection down.
The club also has Academy defender Garrison Kenh and father-son prospect Harper Banfield who are in draft calculations late on night two or in the rookie draft.
List needs
Small forward: West Coast desperately needs front half firepower. The club has done well to draft tall targets Jobe Shanahan and Cooper Duff-Tytler in the last two drafts, and also has Jake Waterman, but there is very little at his feet - particularly following the delistings of Matt Owies and Harvey Johnston. That it took until the last days before list lodgment to re-sign small Malakai Champion indicates the jury remains out on him, further casting doubt about who can fill the role in 2027.
Key defender: Reuben Ginbey will be the man who leads this generation of Eagles defenders, but he is undersized, and behind him there is no star lockdown player. Rhett Bazzo is contracted until 2029 and played a career-high 14 games at the top level this year, while they also have Sandy Brock and Harry Edwards.
Best available: With another top five selection, they will hope to welcome in the best available talent to complement a list which is starting to show promise of competing regularly and winning games of footy, particularly at home.
Potential targets
Heath Mellody: Naturally, the Eagles have been very closely linked with the Western Australian Larke Medallist with their first selection right in his range at the top end of the AFL Draft. He is a smooth-moving half-back with a beautiful kick that, despite his slight frame, has competed hard when given WAFL senior opportunities for Claremont.
Arki Butler: If Butler is still on the board, he suits exactly what West Coast needs as a known goal kicker who is menacing at ground level - and he has been widely backed to make an impact in his first season. The hesitation will be picking him over local boy Mellody if he is available.
Garrison Kenh: The flashy half-back is part of West Coast's Next Generation Academy. It has been an up-and-down year for Kenh, who was part of the AFL Academy before being left out of Western Australia's first two games of the Under-18s National Championships as he was challenged to improve his defending. Regardless, he is a dangerous proposition when he has the footy and could prove a handy addition if he slips through to the rookie draft.
Harper Banfield: The brother of St Kilda's Charlie, who West Coast overlooked as a father-son option last year, Harper had a strong year in 2026, as one of Western Australia's best players at the Under-18s National Championships. A hard-running ball-winning midfielder who has the explosiveness to win clearances, he shapes as a late or rookie option.
Xavier Ladbrook: West Coast has picks at the start of Ladbrook's range, and while he is not readymade, he arguably has the best scope of any defender who will be available on night two. Has a Darcy Moore-like willingness to take off after taking intercept marks, and possesses great athleticism and foot skills to complement his aggression in the air. If West Coast - or any club - are willing to stick the course and develop him, he might just prove this draft crop's bargain pickup.
Jake Soutar: If West Coast wants a mature-aged key defender, Soutar is right in their range with their picks at the start of the second night of the AFL National Draft. He is ready to go after winning East Perth's best and fairest as a marking defender patrolling the backline with aplomb.
Marlon Neocleous: If Butler is overlooked, Neocleous will likely be the best remaining small forward - save for the club-tied players - when the Eagles are next on the clock. He has drifted somewhat in calculations but is an excellent decision-maker in the front half and can hit the scoreboard.
Finlay Yeo: Could they place a bid on Fremantle high-flyer Finlay Yeo? There is always the conversation for the Western Australian clubs to keep local boys at home, where possible, and Yeo is the best Western Australian small forward and fits a clear list need for the Eagles. If West Coast does place a bid early on night two, there is a chance the Dockers will not match. He is an athletic goal-kicker who can take big marks and mop up at ground level.
