West Coast's 2025 draft could be pivotal in their extensive rebuild to return to premiership contention in the years to come.
Drafting Harley Reid in 2023 before adding Bo Allan via last year's first round will be key chapters of their rebuild, but their trading from last year, as well as some moves and free agency compensation in 2025, have them well placed for a memorable draft haul.
Nailing these selections will be crucial for Andrew McQualter's long-term prospects, with the Eagles holding the first two picks of the count and another first-round pick at the midway mark of night one.
With a quartet of club-tied prospects also in the mix, here's how West Coast's 2025 draft plans could take shape.
Draft Hand
Picks: 1, 2, 13, 34, 41, 58 (7141 Points)
The Oscar Allen compensation turned West Coast's good draft hand into a great one, pocketing Pick 2 to get two bites of the apple to kickstart the queue.
The Eagles were shrewd in adding Pick 13 to their hand from Fremantle in a trade that also saw them land Brandon Starcevich, giving the Perth club another spot on night one.
Their later selections could all be required for matching bids, with the Eagles having ties to NGA trio Tylah Williams, Wes Walley and Koby Evans, as well as father-son prospect Charlie Ballard. From a National Draft view, Williams looks a sure selection, while Banfield would be the next most likely.
List Needs
Best Available: While most clubs will likely be looking at list fits given the nature of this year's pool of prospects, it's quite simple for West Coast at Picks 1 and 2, and maybe even 13. Adding the best players on offer with their opening pair of picks will add to a list lacking in several areas. The club's recent draft history hasn't repetitively focused on the same type of player, meaning there'll be no major concern for finding a list fit early in the draft. What will work in West Coast's favour is the range of positions the top prospects have to offer this year, with Pick 13 potentially where the Eagles could look to list needs, but will be flexible depending on how the selections ahead of them unfold.
Midfield Depth: If there's one area the Eagles will look to address over the next fortnight, it's the engine room. They've drafted midfield capable prospects at the early stages of the draft in recent years, with the aforementioned Reid a midfielder for the long term, while Allan too could slot into an inside role after playing his trade as a backman to start his career. The likes of Deven Robertson and Finlay Macrae have been linked as off-season additions to help support West Coast's midfield mix, but they can't be viewed as players to depend on in the years to come.
Versatility: What can help set up a growing list is a squad with depth and flexibility. For rebuilding clubs, their tougher years often rely on experimentation, and that's when these struggling sides might uncover a catalyst in their journey back to contention. For the Eagles, they have some promising assets who can play multiple roles, with Brady Hough showing his value in the middle this year and Ryan Maric proving to be a player who can shift across all three lines. Prospects who can shapeshift into a required role in McQualter's system will be valuable.
Potential Targets
Willem Duursma: The clear No.1 prospect of 2025, having starred across all three thirds of the field and been a main attraction at just about every level he featured. Duursma, who stands at 191cm in a rangy build, is a talent who can be damaging in the air and at ground level. He likely starts his career in defence as an offensive option who can also be relied upon as an interceptor. Long term, he's an inside midfielder who can break away from traffic and use the ball with efficiency. On more than one occasion this year, Duurmsa pushed forward late for the Gippsland Power to decide a game. He's a perfect fit for the Eagles, and most importantly, is ready-made.
| 1 RANK |  | Willem Duursma Gippsland Power Utility HEIGHT: 191cm | ▶+ |
Cooper Duff-Tytler: Is likely to follow Duursma as the Eagles' second selection of the draft; however, there could be a bid or two from West Coast before that pick. Duff-Tytler will add to the Eagles' key position options as a high-upside forward-ruck hybrid who has also shown an ability to be an additional midfielder at stoppages after working for a hitout. He is seen by most as a forward-first prospect who can pinch-hit in the ruck, while others believe Duff-Tytler could be more of a centrepiece who can push forward in the Luke Jackson mould. If it's not Duff-Tytler? Eastern Ranges livewire Sullivan Robey looms as another option atop the draft.
| 5 RANK |  | Cooper Duff-Tytler Calder Cannons Ruck/Forward HEIGHT: 200cm | ▶+ |
Tylah Williams: The standout prospect tied to the Eagles, despite coming into the year a touch more unknown compared to his NGA teammates. A strong U18s National Championships saw Williams' stocks rise rapidly, with his range now in the top 30 of the draft. A crafty small forward who relies on speed and a great sense for goal, Williams is one of the leading players for his position among this year's pool of prospects. He adds to a crop of Eagles-tied kids that involves another small forward in Wes Walley, a forward-wing option in Koby Evans and the strong-marking Charlie Banfield.
| 36 RANK |  | Tylah Williams Swan Districts Forward HEIGHT: 175cm |
