Game Day The 2025 Draft Day Thread

[UseR2006]

And a song to sing as we watch,

Hey Matty Clarke by Kevin (Random260) Wilson :

Hey Matty Clarke you campaigner, where the **** is Sharp
I’ve looked at all these other spuds and there’s no one that I like
I wrote you a ****ing letter and posted about it twice
You dopey ****ing Richmond fart, you forgot my ****ing Sharp

If I wanted a stupid ruckman type, I would’ve bloody asked
And this half back flank and temu mid, you can shove right up your arse
You’ve stuffed the bloody order up, it’s enough to make you spew
But it’s not just me who’s snakey, SGIO is dirty too

Next time I come to see ya, I’m going to punch you in the guts
And I’ll sack the other recruiting knobs and kick Toddy in the nuts
You just wait 'til next year when you go back to the draft
And me and me little GIO come stomping through the door
And we'll say, yeah, you wait for it

Hey Pyke and Woosh you smell his breath
And check his bloodshot eyes
And don't listen to him eagles fans 'cause he tells ****ing lies
He's just a ****ing useless campaigner and he's not even very bright
'Cause the stupid ****in' w***er, forgot me ****in' Sharp

Hey Matty Clarke you campaigner, where the **** is Sharp
I’ve looked at all these other spuds and there’s no one that I like
I wrote you a ****ing letter and posted about it twice
You dopey ****ing Richmond fart, you forgot my ****ing Sharp

A Quick Ai rendition: https://suno.com/s/blQP3cSnulhqYb5g
It's funny how it interrupted the lyrics XD

 

[Boohemian]

It'd be a stretch to call what they do a "draft", it's basically shifting picks to make sure they have points for their academy kids that have been gift wrapped for them.

No wonder Briztoon has to go to other boards to get his drafting fix.

 

[DorothyG]

I miss briztoon. I wonder what that guys up to these days?

 

[CoastersFlag No.5]

Looked forward to the melts they didn't dissappoint. Going to be interesting to compare Williams and Rodriguez and Smith vs Evans and Banfield. Might even have some people reserve judgement until Year 1 is finished. But that would take away the melty gooey fun.

 

[amazingjoshy]

I miss briztoon. I wonder what that guys up to these days?

He/she/they sledges WC on the draft and trading board in the same condescending way

 

[Shueygod]

I think banfield is better than hamish davis or at least on par. Banfield is 192cm and does a 6 minute 2km. Definetely should of had a list spot over barnett, harvey johnson, newton, hutchingson, hall

Davis was far higher rated, if anything the fact he was pick 65 is absolute proof Banfield doesn’t go ND last year.

He had 21D and 4G in a WAFL final and averaged 15D 1.8G at the champs.

 

[Shueygod]

He/she/they sledges WC on the draft and trading board in the same condescending way

Still as horrifically incorrect as always, recent gold being Reid/Allan/Duursma all being HBF’s.

 

[Broken_Chairs]

In the long run missing out on Banfield probably won't be a huge loss.

I just ****ing hate that a Banfield was good enough to make it onto an AFL list with a 2nd round pick and is playing for ****ing St Kilda. Gross shit.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

In the long run missing out on Banfield probably won't be a huge loss.

I just ****ing hate that a Banfield was good enough to make it onto an AFL list with a 2nd round pick and is playing for ****ing St Kilda. Gross shit.

That’s the thing. If his name was smith no one would be melting. But it’s ****en banfield. His dad was a legend. Would just be part of the romance to have him running around for us.

Oh well. We move on.

 

[Bender_]

That’s the thing. If his name was smith no one would be melting. But it’s ****en banfield. His dad was a legend. Would just be part of the romance to have him running around for us.

Oh well. We move on.

I think you'll find most of this board would be well pissed that we missed out on recruiting the son of West Coast legend Ash Smith!

 

[InTheWings]

Probably not, but then again, it's likely not about Cripps and Cole. It's about where we see the best use of list spots to be going forward.

Clearly we saw the easiest route forward for getting some experienced and stronger bodies in the middle as some players in the SSP (Dev, Macrae, Schoeneberg). I'm guessing Macrae and Schoenberg have one year contracts (maybe with triggers). Think I read Dev was offered a longer contract.

But to do that we had to have spots for SSPs. Cripps being moved blocks that option. So one reason not to move him.

A second reason would be if we're looking at how we manufacture spots in 2026. It sounds easy with 15 players coming out of contract, but some quick checking that number comes down quickly

• Maric, Hewett and Brockman won't go anywhere,
• Champion is a rookie anyway,
• One spot has to go to Hutchinson,
• We'd be really hoping that at least four of Long, Hall, JWill, BWill, Bazzo, Newton and Johnston (and even Barnett) are not ready to cut
• Cole may yet be in our "need some maturity" plans for another year.

Suddenly that's six spots - but would be a very cosy five if Cripps is a rookie, and it's looking to be a strong draft next year.

Yes… maybe, and this is a big maybe, in regard to the list going forward and next year’s draft, the Eagles are playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers?

 

[TerryFilk]

Davis was far higher rated, if anything the fact he was pick 65 is absolute proof Banfield doesn’t go ND last year.

He had 21D and 4G in a WAFL final and averaged 15D 1.8G at the champs.

But also had a terrible kicking action and is much more limited at the next level because of his lack of inside ability.

Not disputing that Davis may of had a more consistent draft year, but teams also draft on upside and Banfield has much more.

 

[Shueygod]

But also had a terrible kicking action and is much more limited at the next level because of his lack of inside ability.

Not disputing that Davis may of had a more consistent draft year, but teams also draft on upside and Banfield has much more.

Banfield showed inside midfield ability at WAFL Colts level towards the end of the season, I’d wager Davis could have done the same if given the opportunity, instead he was playing finals for the league side.

Davis was absolutely the better prospect, kicking is a weakness for both, neither has shown inside ability at a semi decent level, Davis has performed far better across the board.

 

[WCEswift]

I put money on Dev rob being in our round 1 team

 

[BSD]

I liked Brennan's endeavour but he lacked any afl level qualities
Was the right decision on waterman, was drafted as a highly rated inside mid but after his illness was never the same

Who did we miss out on when we drafted Brennan ?

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

I put money on Dev rob being in our round 1 team

A lock unless injured

 

[Keys]

I was happy to get Ryan off our list . Past his use by . Shoulda been playing Wafl

I think it’s possible to both be satisfied with the F2 we got in a trade for Ryan but then be a bit underwhelmed with how we used it to move up one spot from 18 to 17

I do think we wouldn’t have Lindsay on our list had we not traded up so I’m kinda ok with it - but I’m making the assumption it was necessary. It may or may not have been and unfortunately we’ll probably never know for sure

Duursma
CDT
Lindsay
Allen
Williams (matched bid)
Rodriguez

Cripps and Barnett on senior list

Vs

Duursma
CDT
Addinsall
Allen
Evans (matched bid)
Williams (matched bid)
Banfield (matched bid)

Cripps on rookie list, Barnett and Harvey Johnston delisted (or insert another two players here)

Coming around to what we did, would have still preferred Banners Jnr over Williams, and to have handled the raid on Addinsall far better than we did. Consolation prize of Linsday is good, but losing a 2026 second rounder as part of the failed attempt stings. Would have been valuable when matching bids next year.

In your alternate scenario we’d have only needed to have delisted one of Barnett/Johnston, not both

With that little clarification out of the way:
1) I think I’m happier with Lindsay than I would’ve been Addinsall, despite the latter being more of a list need
2) Gold Coast still had another F2 up their sleeve (which they used later in a trade to secure Avery Thomas) that if needed could and would have traded for more points to match the Addinsall bid. So even if we’d bid on Patterson at 3 instead of Dean they would have still been able to match. I don’t think we believed they couldn’t match but did hope they wouldn’t
3) Banfield over Williams is an interesting call - I’m 50/50 on it
4) We should have moved Cripps to the rookie list - had a sinking feeling the moment the list lodgement deadline passed it would come back to haunt us. Like Shanahan sliding last year to help salvage the pick 3/Baker trade, Rodriguez slipping to the RD has helped salvage missing Banfield
5) I have no issues with retaining Johnston- he showed some encouraging signs in his debut year before a disappointing season in 2025. Happy for him to be given another crack this year
6) Barnett I’m less enamoured by. Has shown very little in his 3 years and I certainly wouldn’t have complained if we did cut him loose, especially since his departure has arguably cost us one of Evans or Banfield. That said he was contracted and big men can take longer to develop- the club would be better placed to judge the likelihood of him coming good with what they see away from game day
7) Ultimately the 6/3 split between draftees and SSP signings feels right and I think the end result is fine despite my misgivings over missing Banfield. Had we gone 7/3 with Cripps on the rookie list and Barnett delisted to make room for Banfield whilst still getting Rodriguez would have been a good, arguably better, result

I think you try and fix the problem as opposed to run away from it. Its almost like they are so scared to fail they forget to chase successs

I think declining to list a player who hadn’t shown the necessary professionalism to earn that spot it’s a better option than rewarding poor behaviour. You’ve been one of many complaining about declining standards, with some justification, so wouldn’t listing Walley be an example of not establishing the type of standards you want to see

He didn’t get away, we gave him away through ineptitude or arrogance or both. No excuses.

We bound ourselves to a rigid plan which we should not have under the circumstances, that was a number of first and second round picks plus some talented NGA’s and a F/S should have been selected this year. Banfield, Evans and Williams were always going to be bid on by our opponents. We gave two of them away.

The plan should have been adjusted and provision made. It’s a massive fail.

Williams was always likely to get a bid

Banfield was a possibility

Evans was an outside chance

We clearly wanted to limit the number of 18 year old draftees so as to restore the balance of our age profile somewhat and took what we considered best available at each of our picks. Took what we considered to be the best 5 in the main draft before adding a 6th in the rookie draft - who may very well have been above Banfield in our rankings anyway like the vast majority of predraft rankings

You might disagree with the plan but calling it a massive fail is incredibly premature and hyperbolic

No offence but a young group would learn more from guys like Tom Mitchell and David swallow... Then they would from the likes of fin MacRae and Schoenberg

I wouldn’t have an issue if we brought in Mitchell over Schoenberg since it’s unlikely Schoenberg will be on the list much longer than Mitchell would be. And as you say, the young group could learn a lot from Mitchell

My best guess is age and durability was a concern with Mitchell. Or his genuine lack of pace not suiting McQualter’s game plan

I’m pretty indifferent to Schoenberg so whilst I’m happy bringing in another mature SSP signing I have reservations he’s the best choice

Imagine if we played mcrae, dec and shoenberger in the midfield....ploddus would be proud.

Realistically 2/3 are there to prop up our WAFL side with the carrot of a senior opportunity

Which is why we’ve brought them onto an extended rookie list as SSP signings

Are Cripps and Cole in our long term future? Both will retire in less than 12 months lets be honest. Both hopefullly play mostly WAFL in their final year, which could have been achieved another way.

From a draft night tactical sense we dropped the ball IMO.

Getting Rodreguez quality that late covers missing out on Banfield to a degree. A pure mid in an area of need.

Our haul is eliete in the first 3 selections. Our 3rd and 4th picks solid choices with high ceilings. But we could have done better openning up another spot or two. Feel we missed an opportunity here after burning the Ryan Saints F2nd

It will be the last year for Cripps no doubt. Should’ve been moved to the rookie list but his presence in a still relatively inexperienced forward line shouldn’t be underestimated for another year

Cole is still only 28 so not retirement age yet and whilst he’s no longer best 23 he does provide experienced depth and will be an asset in the WAFL side. The expiry date on his usefulness is not necessarily 2026

Time for a me thinks

Keeping it open as people still want to discuss the draft. Makes sense to keep it in here rather than other threads

 

[Jootube]

Sensible post as always Keys.
Some wins, some loses and some tentative draws in the offseason.

 

[kranky al]

idea for equalisation...

Every AFL team must fly similar kms.

Eg, Carlton need to fly an extra 50 thousand km by rd23 to make it even

Backdate it to eagles inception….

 

[boondy]

I think it’s possible to both be satisfied with the F2 we got in a trade for Ryan but then be a bit underwhelmed with how we used it to move up one spot from 18 to 17

I do think we wouldn’t have Lindsay on our list had we not traded up so I’m kinda ok with it - but I’m making the assumption it was necessary. It may or may not have been and unfortunately we’ll probably never know for sure



In your alternate scenario we’d have only needed to have delisted one of Barnett/Johnston, not both

With that little clarification out of the way:
1) I think I’m happier with Lindsay than I would’ve been Addinsall, despite the latter being more of a list need
2) Gold Coast still had another F2 up their sleeve (which they used later in a trade to secure Avery Thomas) that if needed could and would have traded for more points to match the Addinsall bid. So even if we’d bid on Patterson at 3 instead of Dean they would have still been able to match. I don’t think we believed they couldn’t match but did hope they wouldn’t
3) Banfield over Williams is an interesting call - I’m 50/50 on it
4) We should have moved Cripps to the rookie list - had a sinking feeling the moment the list lodgement deadline passed it would come back to haunt us. Like Shanahan sliding last year to help salvage the pick 3/Baker trade, Rodriguez slipping to the RD has helped salvage missing Banfield
5) I have no issues with retaining Johnston- he showed some encouraging signs in his debut year before a disappointing season in 2025. Happy for him to be given another crack this year
6) Barnett I’m less enamoured by. Has shown very little in his 3 years and I certainly wouldn’t have complained if we did cut him loose, especially since his departure has arguably cost us one of Evans or Banfield. That said he was contracted and big men can take longer to develop- the club would be better placed to judge the likelihood of him coming good with what they see away from game day
7) Ultimately the 6/3 split between draftees and SSP signings feels right and I think the end result is fine despite my misgivings over missing Banfield. Had we gone 7/3 with Cripps on the rookie list and Barnett delisted to make room for Banfield whilst still getting Rodriguez would have been a good, arguably better, result



I think declining to list a player who hadn’t shown the necessary professionalism to earn that spot it’s a better option than rewarding poor behaviour. You’ve been one of many complaining about declining standards, with some justification, so wouldn’t listing Walley be an example of not establishing the type of standards you want to see



Williams was always likely to get a bid

Banfield was a possibility

Evans was an outside chance

We clearly wanted to limit the number of 18 year old draftees so as to restore the balance of our age profile somewhat and took what we considered best available at each of our picks. Took what we considered to be the best 5 in the main draft before adding a 6th in the rookie draft - who may very well have been above Banfield in our rankings anyway like the vast majority of predraft rankings

You might disagree with the plan but calling it a massive fail is incredibly premature and hyperbolic



I wouldn’t have an issue if we brought in Mitchell over Schoenberg since it’s unlikely Schoenberg will be on the list much longer than Mitchell would be. And as you say, the young group could learn a lot from Mitchell

My best guess is age and durability was a concern with Mitchell. Or his genuine lack of pace not suiting McQualter’s game plan

I’m pretty indifferent to Schoenberg so whilst I’m happy bringing in another mature SSP signing I have reservations he’s the best choice



Which is why we’ve brought them onto an extended rookie list as SSP signings



It will be the last year for Cripps no doubt. Should’ve been moved to the rookie list but his presence in a still relatively inexperienced forward line shouldn’t be underestimated for another year

Cole is still only 28 so not retirement age yet and whilst he’s no longer best 23 he does provide experienced depth and will be an asset in the WAFL side. The expiry date on his usefulness is not necessarily 2026



Keeping it open as people still want to discuss the draft. Makes sense to keep it in here rather than other threads

I like your comment "Having too many 18 year olds " on our list is a valid point . There is also next year to consider more youth to come and even more development . Gives validity to the mature listing's to just be there while we build the youthful talent .

 

[kranky al]

Channel Nein on Instagram: "BREAKING: Prime Ben Cousins has been selected with the number one pick by the West Coast Eagles in the 2025 AFL draft. Ben Cousins was recently unfrozen just in time for the West Coast Eagles rebuild, sources say the Ben

The West Coast Eagles have taken a bold move by selecting Ben Cousins with the number one pick in the 2025 AFL draft. According to the team, Cousins was frozen in 2006 and has been replaced by actor Brynn Nephews. The news has sent shockwaves through the AFL community, with fans and players...

www.instagram.com

 

[Cuzz09]

Leave Cuzzy alone u pigs

 

[stylish]

I am astounded people want to keep debating the non selection of Banfield & some of the commentary around it. He should be on the list instead of Hutchinson (no he shouldnt), he's better than Davis (highly doubtful), he fills a hole we need (so does half a dozen others)

Quite simply - WC didn't rate him highly enough to want to draft him on the main list. WC's trading dept may f××k up more than they should, but their drafting guys have shown over the last few years they know what they are doing. If they thought Banfield was as good as many of you do, then 17 other clubs fxxcked up as too (well 16 coz Port officials forgot why they were there). And yet most of you are talking with such conviction as well. How many actually watched him play beyond snipets of highlights and the odd final and GF to be so determined in your belief?

Will it piss the Banfield's off? Possibly - but thats the nature of footy now and they will well know it.

Maybe watch the cricket - Head should put a smile on your face.

 

[squashface]

Channel Nein on Instagram: "BREAKING: Prime Ben Cousins has been selected with the number one pick by the West Coast Eagles in the 2025 AFL draft. Ben Cousins was recently unfrozen just in time for the West Coast Eagles rebuild, sources say the Ben

The West Coast Eagles have taken a bold move by selecting Ben Cousins with the number one pick in the 2025 AFL draft. According to the team, Cousins was frozen in 2006 and has been replaced by actor Brynn Nephews. The news has sent shockwaves through the AFL community, with fans and players...

www.instagram.com

How good is AI slop

 

[ashstores]

50 hours
3850 posts
Well done folks

View attachment 2483232

BZ the club defender like at you go. I think you just like taking the piss. Are you a Docker supporter deep down? Old South boy? Loved Old East?

 

[Keys]

Head should put a smile on your face.

When would it ever not