It's been well documented over the past few weeks that the Eagles' list isn't getting any younger, and The West Australian reported on Thursday morning that has many as 12 players could be axed at season's end in a bid to revitalise the list.
Last season's veteran recruits Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie both look set to retire once 2017 ends, although the Eagles will still have some big calls to make on some of their best servants of the past decade.
2006 premiership player Sam Butler could be on the chopping block, and may be joined by club champions Eric Mackenzie and Mark LeCras, who has come under fire from the media over the past week.
Fox Footy analyst David King said LeCras should "never play again" after a pair of poor efforts in the dying stages against Collingwood on Sunday afternoon, although coach Adam Simpson said King's comments were disrespectful.
“The conversations are ongoing. He’s done a lot for our club. He’s been an A-grade talent and an A-grade player. To talk about his future publicly I think is disrespectful,” Simpson told reporters in his press conference on Wednesday.
“To be perfectly frank with his form — the good is pretty good and the bad is pretty bad. The two weeks before ... we were pretty happy with his performance.”
2014 Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis is also playing for his future according to The West Australian, despite recently signing a one-year contract extension.
The 32-year-old's form has dropped off in recent weeks, although Simpson said Priddis would have the final say on his future given his contract situation.
“His opportunity is not the same as it used to be,” Simpson said.
“We’ve got to take that into consideration. He’s played some really good footy this year and he’s played some games that have been a bit down. What Pridda does in the future is up to him. He’s contracted for next year."
23-year-old Paddy Brophy announced his retirement earlier on this season to return home to Ireland, while the article also contemplated the futures of Jonathan Giles (29yo), Simon Tunbridge (24), Sharrod Wellingham (29), Josh Hill (28) and FraserMcInnes (24).
