Game Day Preseason Game 1, 2026: West Coast v Fremantle

[makaveli01]

 

[Shueygod]

Thought he was spot on. Hewett if he ever gets fit certainly looks to have more class than Dev.

Spot on about Hewett being yet to show as much?

Hewett has literally had 10 games with as many or more disposals than Robertsons most productive game.

This isn’t including games such as his one vs the demons where he had 15 & 3.

Here’s their career output side by side.

It is so far from the truth it’s not funny.

 

[ziad]

Gutted for Long.

I was skeptical about Duursma predraft but very convinced he's the real deal after this morning.

He looks exactly as dominant and comfortable against AFL level opposition as he does against 18 year olds.

Agree Long.
Some of Duursma's work in traffiic was very impressive (for me anyway). We knew he had it but at AFL level so early! He can kick and is a very solid overhead player.

 

[Elite Pete]

He looked pretty good against Nank agreed. Goldstein was preferred to Blakiston and bombers fans are pretty keen for Bryan to come back so he can be moved.

It’s pretty rare for a state league ruck to make it in the AFL, as if you’re tall enough and have an iota of football talent you get drafted.

Exceptions may be the guys that are new to the game.

I think that was more due to all of their key backs going down. Goldy was keen to go again but they elected to not sign him knowing Draper was gone and Byran was out for an extended period


They had a Bombers staff member on the telecast who got asked the question about who is the number 1 ruck an he said they’ve been impressed with LB and if he can carry that into the season possession is 9/10 of the law ect.

But it’s a wait and see.

 

[Shmiddy15]

ATTENTION ALL

It is too late to delist Noah Long and recruit Charlie Banfield. Don't bother suggesting it.

Still plenty of time to suggest delisting Noah Long to recruit Harper Banfield though.

 

[Elite Pete]

Did they end up playing another 3 terms for the beags?

They played extra but not sure how much. T Williams posted some footage a mate or family member took and Eliza Reilly mention Luke Ryan played in the next game. Hewett also by the looks

 

[Shueygod]

Hewett is being ridiculously underrated around these parts.

There were 30 players in the AFL last year to play 15+ games and average 3+ clearances and 0.5G (have a look at the names).

He needs to add consistency and maintain his impact across 4 quarters (full preseason should help), but he is absolutely in our 23 and is clearly a better player than Robertson now and into the future.

 

[Lazzas]

Spot on about Hewett being yet to show as much?

Hewett has literally had 10 games with as many or more disposals than Robertsons most productive game.

This isn’t including games such as his one vs the demons where he had 15 & 3.

Here’s their career output side by side.

It is so far from the truth it’s not funny.

It's an opinion stats don't always tell the whole story. We're talking about two vastly different players.

One player that has yet to have an injury interrupted pre season that certainly has class and one that's been in the system a lot longer.

I'm hoping Hewitt gets on the park this year I've got high hopes.

Again there is nothing wrong with what he said.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I said it last week during the intraclub and I'll say it again, Duursma actually looks a decent size figure wise out there. Like, he's still slight but I was expecting him to look like a complete string bean out there but doesn't look massively out of place at all. The weight will come in a couple years but at least right now it doesn't look like he's gonna get snapped in half in a tackle.

 

[mitchzz]

One of the big takeaways for me is that I really hope we play Dev round 1. He's a madman around the contest and I think that rubs off on others

Shanahan, Reid, Duurs, McCarthy, Lindsay, CDT all great signs

A few guys seemed invisible today: Archer Reid, Waterman, Squarehead

Overall, a bit hard to tell from this game due to 1) the cyclone that they were playing in, and 2) the Morolla Razr the match was filmed on

 

[stallon]

Hewett is being ridiculously underrated around these parts.

There were 30 players in the AFL last year to play 15+ games and average 3+ clearances and 0.5G.

He needs to add consistency and maintain his impact across 4 quarters (full preseason should help), but he is absolutely in our 23 and is clearly a better player than Robertson now and into the future.

Its pretty bad when probably our 4th most talented youngster behind our 2 pick 1s and a pick 4 is trying to be tossed aside by so many fans, simply because there are a few previously delisted players added to the list in the last few months.

Just lol

 

[mattyc75]

Surprised by Newton, he almost brought down about 3 strong pack marks given his size and was unlucky to not get one of them paid in front of goal.

Very handy off the deck, in the contest, and around the ground ground too. I guess that's some silver lining with Schlong's bad luck (feel terrible for him) is that Newts can get a run at it.

Newton wouldve been ahead of Long in the small forward pecking order this year anyway.

 

[rfarlz]

We'll never get a leg injury again.

This didn't age well

 

[WCErevival]

One of the big takeaways for me is that I really hope we play Dev round 1. He's a madman around the contest and I think that rubs off on others

Shanahan, Reid, Duurs, McCarthy, Lindsay, CDT all great signs

A few guys seemed invisible today: Archer Reid, Waterman, Squarehead

Overall, a bit hard to tell from this game due to 1) the cyclone that they were playing in, and 2) the Morolla Razr the match was filmed on

Nic Reid still playing for us?

 

[mitchzz]

Who is squarehead?

The guy in your avatar

 

[Doashuey]

Newton wouldve been ahead of Long in the small forward pecking order this year anyway.

I was very impressed with Newton today but small forwards are a glaring weakness and we would play both Long and Newton with Crippa this year when all are available. Longy was looking good, fingers Xd it isnt season ending for him.

 

[EagleEgo]

He looked pretty good against Nank agreed. Goldstein was preferred to Blakiston and bombers fans are pretty keen for Bryan to come back so he can be moved.

It’s pretty rare for a state league ruck to make it in the AFL, as if you’re tall enough and have an iota of football talent you get drafted.

Exceptions may be the guys that are new to the game.

Darcy Cameron

 

[Selurs]

Spot on about Hewett being yet to show as much?

Hewett has literally had 10 games with as many or more disposals than Robertsons most productive game.

This isn’t including games such as his one vs the demons where he had 15 & 3.

Here’s their career output side by side.

It is so far from the truth it’s not funny.

Robertson isn't any good, but Hewett also hasn't shown much more than flashes. Both of those can be true.

 

[Jukes]

Came away from that game feeling positive about our overall direction. There will no doubt be some tough moments in every game we play but there’s enough there to suggest we’ll compete and compete well.

The gaping black hole that was our midfield seems to have been addressed and there’s certainly the bones of a good competitive AFL quality group there.

As a couple have mentioned, the lack of forward line pressure looks to still be a big issue. The flow on effect of this in modern footy is massive and will compromise our midfield and defence no matter how good they are.

For me, based on what we have, the solution is to plonk Baker and Cole there (in addition to Newton, resting midfielder and Cripps). The backline should be deep enough without them. Between all of them, there should be enough ground ball skills, pressure and accountability to go close to rectifying the issues. The one key cog missing in that set up would be magic but that can come after we have somewhat of a backbone there.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Its pretty bad when probably our 4th most talented youngster behind our 2 pick 1s and a pick 4 is trying to be tossed aside by so many fans, simply because there are a few previously delisted players added to the list in the last few months.

Just lol

Who is actually tossing Hewett aside?

I think the substantive point being made is Robertson has a role in our 23, and while most believe Hewett has potential, his injury record is holding him back.

 

[Goroyals22]

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Robertson isn’t in the team to get 25 disposals. He’s in the team to run tackle chase provide defensive intent and do a number on oppo better mids.

Robertson spot isn’t dependent on Hewett at all in my mind because they aren’t competing for the same spot. Robertson’s probably competing more with Graham and maybe Schoenberg.

Hewett was in competition with McCarthy and Kelly for genuine midfield minutes and McCarthy dunked on him hard over the pre-season and left a Hewett in his dust, and Kelly went past him last week and put in another good performance this week.

Hewett’s probably more in line for that high half forward role that starts in the forward line and pushes up to stoppage, with some midfield minutes.

Let’s see if Hewett can build into the season and be a bit more consistent. His best is definitely exciting, especially around F50 stoppage, but he’s also prone to poor ball use and going invisible when playing as a genuine mid.

 

[Monocle]

The CDT run chase and tackle on Jackson, that earn't CDT the free kick, was the highlight of the game for me.

 

[Shueygod]

It's an opinion stats don't always tell the whole story. We're talking about two vastly different players.

One player that has yet to have an injury interrupted pre season that certainly has class and one that's been in the system a lot longer.

I'm hoping Hewitt gets on the park this year I've got high hopes.

Again there is nothing wrong with what he said.

“Hewett is yet to show as much as Devon Robertson” is just a factually incorrect statement.

Not only is Hewett statistically far superior, his best has shown to be far better. Only one of the two has polled coaches/brownlow votes.

It would be a fair comment regarding someone like Graham but Robertson has actually shown little at AFL level (due to opportunity mainly).

I think Robertson is currently best 23, I hope he does well for us as he fills a need.

There is absolute daylight between Hewett and Robertson solely on exposed evidence.

Robertson isn’t in the team to get 25 disposals. He’s in the team to run tackle chase provide defensive intent and do a number on oppo better mids.

Robertson spot isn’t dependent on Hewett at all in my mind because they aren’t competing for the same spot. Robertson’s probably competing more with Graham and maybe Schoenberg.

Hewett was in competition with McCarthy and Kelly for genuine midfield minutes and McCarthy dunked on him hard over the pre-season and left a Hewett in his dust, and Kelly went past him last week and put in another good performance this week.

Hewett’s probably more in line for that high half forward role that starts in the forward line and pushes up to stoppage, with some midfield minutes.

Let’s see if Hewett can build into the season and be a bit more consistent. His best is definitely exciting, especially around F50 stoppage, but he’s also prone to poor ball use and going invisible when playing as a genuine mid.

Agree with all bar the Kelly comments. When Hewett got over his niggles to start the year he was a better player than Kelly. A good performance in the intraclub and match sim from Kelly (while Hewett didn’t have the opportunity to do so) doesn’t mean he’s overtaken him.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

The CDT run chase and tackle on Jackson, that earn't CDT the free kick, was the highlight of the game for me.

Not quite 5 in a half, but thought it was nice way to announce himself, especially being on Jackson who he will be compared to for the next little while

 

[Happy Mastenator]

The five minutes of game time I managed to catch I saw a stoppage. At that stoppage Dev bumped Harley’s man who was playing Harley tight. Harley’s and devs opponents then had to switch as Harley had space. This is the sort of stuff Dev can bring.