It has been another long, disappointing season for the West Coast Eagles.
With just one win to their name and five games left in the season, the Eagles don’t look like making a finals run anytime soon. It leaves many frustrated supporters like myself wondering: what’s going wrong?
It’s safe to say the Eagles have shown signs of improvement this year, with names like Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Brady Hough and off-season recruit Liam Baker stepping up and delivering some promising performances. The Eagles have also been far more competitive, leading at half time on six occasions and staying in games late.
However, their inability to score consistently across four quarters has cost them dearly. This stems from a lack of skill and execution, poor goal kicking, limited fitness, and players who simply aren’t up to AFL standard.
First-year coach Andrew McQualter will be desperate to make major off-season changes to avoid another stagnant season in 2026.
Recruiting: Talent must come in, fast
It is quite clear that the current West Coast squad lacks both top-end talent and experienced depth. The Eagles must go big this off-season to bring in quality and support the rise of Harley Reid.
On Sunday, it was revealed that Reid’s management approached the club about a long-term deal – approximately $20 million over 10 years. If Reid chooses to stay out west, it will greatly boost their premiership hopes in years to come.
However, McQualter admitted that Reid was ‘carrying’ the midfield and emphasized the need to bring in another A-grade midfielder to take pressure off the 20-year-old.
The backline has also been a glaring weakness this year. Tom Barrass requested a trade to Hawthorn last season, and 5x All-Australian and 2024 John Worsfold Medalist Jeremy McGovern was forced into retirement due to concussions. Bringing in a key defender or two would help stem the bleeding from opposition attacks.
There are positives, though: Harry Edwards and Reuben Ginbey have enjoyed breakout seasons and now look to be foundational pillars for the Eagles’ future defense.
Some names linked to West Coast include Essendon’s 2022 first-round pick Elijah Tsatas, who is out of contract and struggling to break into the Bombers’ injury-hit side. The 20-year-old has played just five AFL games this season – a major concern in his development.
Tsatas could offer a much-needed injection of speed and skill into a midfield that has lost the likes of Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden, and an injury-prone Elliot Yeo.
Other names reportedly on the radar include Will Phillips (North Melbourne), Deven Robertson (Brisbane), and Neil Erasmus (Fremantle).
Harley Reid celebrates a goal. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
List Changes: Big calls loom
The Eagles have already made two list changes this season, with McGovern retiring and 2018 premiership hero Dom Sheed also calling time. 11 players remain out of contract heading into the off-season, and it’s likely several will be delisted.
Jamie Cripps, who celebrated his 250th game in last weekend’s loss to Port Adelaide, is one of those players. Expect the club to re-sign him for at least one more year, bringing valuable experience to the youthful forward line.
Jayden Hunt, however, has been dropped to the WAFL side in recent weeks. With no guarantee of a senior selection, a free agent move back home to Victoria could be on the cards. Defender Tom Cole’s future is also in uncertainty, but his leadership and versatility make him a valuable re-signing.
The most significant off-season storyline revolves around star key forward Oscar Allen, who appears almost certain to request a trade east after injuring his leg against Carlton in Round 14. If that happens, the Eagles would receive Pick 2 as compensation — a bittersweet result that adds to their drafting position.
Other out-of-contract names include Callum Jamieson, Campbell Chesser, Coen Livingstone, Jack Petruccelle, Jacob Newton, Lach Rawlinson and Rhett Bazzo.
Training intent: It starts with standards
The Eagles’ lack of polish on game day can be traced back to their training intensity – or lack thereof. As the old saying goes: “You play like you train.”
Karl Langdon on Perth’s 6PR didn’t hold back after the Eagles’ embarrassing loss to Richmond on Saturday night, stating he had seen their training sessions and that their intent was “nowhere near” professional standards.
“They let them get away with it,” he said when speaking about skill issues, adding that basic execution has been appalling.
West Coast averages over 64 turnovers per game – about average across the league – but their turnovers are coming at the worst possible times.
Take the end of the first half against Richmond: Ryan Maric sent a lazy backward kick that missed its target, and Harley Reid chose to bump before going for the ball. Jacob Hopper pounced and kicked a momentum-swinging goal with under a minute to go, giving the Tigers a nine-point lead heading into the second half.
The third quarter? Richmond piled on six goals from turnovers. If the Eagles don’t clean up these unforced errors – errors that wouldn’t be accepted in junior footy – they’ll continue to be the competition’s laughing stock for many years to come.
While 2025 has been another tough year for the blue and gold, it is not all lost. There’s a clear blueprint ahead: recruit smart, make tough list calls, and raise training standards.
With Reid leading a rising midfield core with a possible contract extension on the horizon, Baker providing spark, and young defenders standing up, the building blocks are already there.
The club has cash to spend, picks to trade, and a clean slate under McQualter’s leadership.
If they get this off-season right, the Eagles won’t just improve, they’ll start the long flight back to where they belong and where they have been for so many years: a powerhouse of the AFL.
