Looking at our long term list building priorities I have identified key targets for the next decade.
First off is the current iteration of the WCE I call the Hurn Era
Hurn Era ( 2019 to 2020)
Top 4 Material
Retirements: MacKenzie, LeCras
Left: Gaff, Lycett?
Best 18
Sheppard Barrass Hurn
Duggan McGovern Jetta
Masten Redden Sheed
Waterman Darling Cripps
Ryan Kennedy Rioli
Naitanui Yeo Shuey
Trade/Draft Targets: Outside quality ball users, ruck depth
Backline Grade: A
Midfield Grade: B+
Forward Grade: A
Shuey Era ( 2021 to 2024)
Top 8 Material
Retirements: Hurn, Shepperd, Jetta, Kennedy, Masten
Best 18
Nelson Barrass Cole
Duggan McGovern REQUIRED
Venables Redden Sheed
Waterman Brander Cripps
Ryan Darling Rioli
REQUIRED Yeo Shuey
Trade/Draft Targets: Backline replacements for Shep and Hurn, Midfield talent ( always)
Backline Grade: B+
Midfield Grade: C+
Forward Grade: B
Duggan Era ( 2025 to 2028)
Top 8 Material
Retirements: McGovern, Redden, Shuey, Cripps, Yeo, Darling,
Best 18
Nelson Barrass Cole
Duggan REQUIRED REQUIRED
Brayshaw Ainsworth REQUIRED
Waterman O.Allen REQUIRED
Ryan Brander Rioli
REQUIRED Venables Sheed
Trade/Draft Targets: Backline replacements for McGovern, Midfield talent ( always)
Backline Grade: ? Too early to tell
Midfield Grade: ? Too early to tell
Forward Grade: A (A is for Arrogant!)
Conclusions:
WCE are very well placed to remain in premiership contention for some time with savvy drafting/trading and development of exciting youth
Forward Line: The drafting of Allen, Brander and Ryan last year ensures our Forward Line's potency through the next decade. There will be a teething period between Kennedy retiring and Brander and Allen reaching their potential. Waterman's fantastic development and Rioli and Ryan adding consistency and hard work to their game will ensure the Eagles'
forward line is feared for years to come.
Backline: The retirement of Hurn and Shep in the next few years will be a huge challenge but we've secured our KPDs for a significant time. Duggan Cole and Nelson are developing very nicely
Midfield: Where it can go right, or horribly wrong. The 2017 draft provides some hope with Ainsworth and Brayshaw both seeming to have plenty of potential. If significant support for Shuey, Yeo and Redden can be discovered (Sheed a possibility) and ruck depth can be recruited, the midfield could go a long way to building a solid list for the next decade.
First off is the current iteration of the WCE I call the Hurn Era
Hurn Era ( 2019 to 2020)
Top 4 Material
Retirements: MacKenzie, LeCras
Left: Gaff, Lycett?
Best 18
Sheppard Barrass Hurn
Duggan McGovern Jetta
Masten Redden Sheed
Waterman Darling Cripps
Ryan Kennedy Rioli
Naitanui Yeo Shuey
Trade/Draft Targets: Outside quality ball users, ruck depth
Backline Grade: A
Midfield Grade: B+
Forward Grade: A
Shuey Era ( 2021 to 2024)
Top 8 Material
Retirements: Hurn, Shepperd, Jetta, Kennedy, Masten
Best 18
Nelson Barrass Cole
Duggan McGovern REQUIRED
Venables Redden Sheed
Waterman Brander Cripps
Ryan Darling Rioli
REQUIRED Yeo Shuey
Trade/Draft Targets: Backline replacements for Shep and Hurn, Midfield talent ( always)
Backline Grade: B+
Midfield Grade: C+
Forward Grade: B
Duggan Era ( 2025 to 2028)
Top 8 Material
Retirements: McGovern, Redden, Shuey, Cripps, Yeo, Darling,
Best 18
Nelson Barrass Cole
Duggan REQUIRED REQUIRED
Brayshaw Ainsworth REQUIRED
Waterman O.Allen REQUIRED
Ryan Brander Rioli
REQUIRED Venables Sheed
Trade/Draft Targets: Backline replacements for McGovern, Midfield talent ( always)
Backline Grade: ? Too early to tell
Midfield Grade: ? Too early to tell
Forward Grade: A (A is for Arrogant!)
Conclusions:
WCE are very well placed to remain in premiership contention for some time with savvy drafting/trading and development of exciting youth
Forward Line: The drafting of Allen, Brander and Ryan last year ensures our Forward Line's potency through the next decade. There will be a teething period between Kennedy retiring and Brander and Allen reaching their potential. Waterman's fantastic development and Rioli and Ryan adding consistency and hard work to their game will ensure the Eagles'
forward line is feared for years to come.
Backline: The retirement of Hurn and Shep in the next few years will be a huge challenge but we've secured our KPDs for a significant time. Duggan Cole and Nelson are developing very nicely
Midfield: Where it can go right, or horribly wrong. The 2017 draft provides some hope with Ainsworth and Brayshaw both seeming to have plenty of potential. If significant support for Shuey, Yeo and Redden can be discovered (Sheed a possibility) and ruck depth can be recruited, the midfield could go a long way to building a solid list for the next decade.