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Game Day Round 7, 2025: West Coast vs Hawthorn (aka Midfield Pressure at Any Price: The Tom Barrass Story)
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Could be the greatest preview in the history of BigFooty.
sharps24
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Hi Guys, Tom again. Sorry about last night I had some technical issues and then got distracted as I was listening again to that Joe Rogan poddy with Terrance Howard. Very interesting! Anyway time is short so I can't do a real preview here like I promised Sharpy but here's a transcript from his poddy that I did during the week to preview the game. He said he'd put it up after tonights game with Adelaide but to be honest he's a bit of a shifty campaigner at the best of times, I'm not even sure he has a podcast as subsequently, I can't find it anywhere on the usual channels. Anyway luckily I recorded it on my phone. Enjoy, Go Hawks!.
Podcast: "Footy Focus with Jeremy Sharp"
Episode: Previewing West Coast Eagles vs. Hawthorn, April 2025
Host: Jeremy Sharp
Guest: Tom Barrass (Hawthorn defender, former West Coast Eagle)
Jeremy Sharp (JS): Welcome to Footy Focus, where we dive into the biggest stories in the AFL. I’m your host, Jeremy Sharp, and today we’re joined by Hawthorn’s star defender and former West Coast Eagle, Tom Barrass. Tom, thanks for coming on the show ahead of what’s shaping up to be a spicy clash between the Hawks and the Eagles at Marvel Stadium this Sunday!
Tom Barrass (TB): Cheers, Jeremy. Great to be here. Yeah, it’s always a big one going up against the old club, especially with all the chatter this week.
JS: Q1. Let’s start with the elephant in the room. There’s been a lot of noise about Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell meeting with West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen earlier this month, which caused a bit of a stir in Perth. You’ve been at the center of a Hawks-Eagles trade yourself, Tom. What’s your take on the situation, and how do you think it’s affecting the Eagles’ prep for this game?
TB: Look, I feel for Oscar. He’s a proud Eagle, a great leader, and he’s copped a lot of flak for something that’s honestly just part of the modern game. Free agency means players talk to clubs—it’s not personal, it’s professional. Sam’s a smart operator; he’s always looking to build the Hawks’ future, like he did with me last year. But I reckon the Eagles will use this as fuel. Oscar’s a competitor, and I bet he’ll be out there leading from the front on Sunday, trying to prove a point. The boys will rally around him, no doubt.
JS: Q2. You mentioned your move to Hawthorn last year. This will be your first time facing West Coast since the trade. How’s it going to feel lining up against your old mates, and has there been any extra banter in the lead-up?
TB: It’ll be weird, I won’t lie. I spent a decade at West Coast, won a premiership, made lifelong mates. Facing them is going to feel like playing your brother in the backyard—you want to win, but it’s not quite the same. There’s been a bit of cheeky chat in the group texts, especially from Harley Reid, who reckons he’s going to barrel through me. I just told him to focus on his tackling technique first! But once the siren goes, it’s business. I’m a Hawk now, and I’m all about getting the four points.
JS: Q3. Speaking of Harley Reid, there’s a great story about him attending your wedding recently. Word is he was sitting with Sam Mitchell, maybe even chatting about footy. Can you give us a bit of insight into that moment, and how’s Harley going as a young star in the game?
TB: Haha, yeah, Harley was at the wedding, looking sharp in his suit—though I reckon he spent half the night trying to charm the bar staff for extra drinks! He did have a yarn with Sam at one point, but I think it was more about life than footy. Sam’s got a way of connecting with young players, you know? Harley’s a special kid—his talent’s obvious, but he’s also got this infectious energy. He’s struggling a bit with the attention this year, as you’d expect for a No. 1 pick, but he’s got the tools to be a superstar. West Coast are lucky to have him.
JS: Q4. Let’s talk about Hawthorn’s team defense, which has been a hallmark under Sam Mitchell. You’ve slotted into that backline seamlessly, but how important is the midfield pressure from guys like Jai Newcombe and James Worpel in making your job easier?
TB: Oh, it’s massive. Our mids are dogs—in the best way. Jai and Worpel, they hunt the ball like their lives depend on it. That pressure up the field means we defenders get cleaner looks at the ball coming in, not just chaos bombs. It lets us set up properly, whether it’s me, Sicily, or Frost reading the play. Last year, we worked hard on being competitive in tight moments, and this year the mids have taken it to another level. It’s why we’re in the premiership conversation. If they bring that heat on Sunday, it’ll make life tough for West Coast’s young engine room.
JS: Q5. West Coast’s midfield, though, is starting to show some promise. We saw Elijah Hewett have a breakout game against Essendon last week, and Harley Reid’s been moved around a bit, sometimes to half-back. How do you guys plan to handle their mix of youth and experience, like Tim Kelly?
TB: Yeah, Hewett was unreal last week—his second half was a nightmare for Essendon. He’s got that burst and physicality you can’t teach. Harley’s dangerous wherever he is, but I reckon we’ll see him in the guts more this week, especially with Kelly back in form. Our plan? Smother them early. We want to put their young mids under the pump with relentless pressure. If we let them get clean looks, they can hurt us, but if our mids win the contested ball, we’ll control the game. It’s about setting the tone from the first bounce.
JS: Q6. There’s been an interesting story about Andrew McQualter, the Eagles’ new coach, catching up with Sam Mitchell by chance during Gather Round in Adelaide. Apparently, they had a chat about motivating players, including this wild idea of slapping Gatorade bottles out of players’ hands at half-time to fire them up. Did you ever see anything like that from Sam when you were at West Coast, and what’s your take on Mini’s approach?
TB: Haha, that’s gold! I can just imagine Sam swatting a Gatorade bottle across the room to make a point. When I was at West Coast, Sam was an assistant, and he had this knack for getting under your skin in a good way—like, he’d challenge you with a look or a sharp word, and you’d be ready to run through walls. I haven’t seen the Gatorade trick, but it sounds like something he’d do for a laugh and to jolt the boys. As for Mini, I reckon he’s trying to instill that same fire. He’s got a tough gig at West Coast, but that chance meeting with Sam probably gave him a few ideas to spark the group. Motivation’s half the battle with a young list.
JS: Q7. You mentioned the premiership talk around Hawthorn. Sam Mitchell’s got a clear vision—ruthless at times, as we saw with trades like Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara. How’s he balancing that long-term focus with keeping the group tight for games like this one?
TB: Sam’s a master at it. He’s got this ability to make every player feel like they’re part of something bigger, but he’s not afraid to make hard calls. The Tom Mitchell and Jaeger trades were tough, but they showed he’s all about building a premiership side, not just a good one. For this game, he’s been hammering that it’s about us, not the noise around Oscar or me or Harley. He’s got us focused on executing our brand—hard, contested footy. That’s what makes him such a good coach: he’s always three steps ahead but keeps you locked in on the now.
JS: Q8. Let’s touch on the West Coast community, which has been vocal during the club’s rebuild. Raine Embley, Andrew Embley’s former wife, is a well-known figure in Eagles circles, and there’s been some historical tension tied to Sam Mitchell’s departure from West Coast years ago. Without diving into old rumors, how do you see the Eagles’ fanbase, including voices like Raine’s, reacting to this game given the current drama?
TB: Yeah, the Eagles’ fanbase is passionate, and they’ve been through a lot with the rebuild. Raine’s been part of that community for a long time, and she’s got a strong voice, like a lot of supporters. I’d rather not get into the old stories about Sam’s time at West Coast—it’s before my time, and I’m focused on the footy. But I know the fans, Raine included, are hurting with the team’s start this year. This game’s going to be emotional, especially with the Oscar Allen chatter and me in Hawks colors. They’ll be loud, whether it’s at the game or online, and if the Eagles show fight, they’ll have the fans’ backing. A loss, though, might amplify the frustration around the club’s direction.
JS: Q9. Back to the game itself. West Coast are bringing back Oscar Allen and have a tall forward line with Jake Waterman, Jack Williams, and maybe Archer Reid. How’s Hawthorn’s defense preparing for that aerial threat, especially under the roof at Marvel?
TB: It’s a challenge, no question. Oscar’s a gun when he’s on, and Waterman’s been kicking bags this year. Jack Williams is a big unit, too, and Archer’s got some tricks. The roof at Marvel means it’s a bit more predictable for us defenders—no wind to mess with marks—but we’ve got to be switched on. Our focus is on bodywork and spoiling, not letting them get clean grabs. Sicily’s been drilling us on positioning all week, and we’ll rely on our mids to slow the ball coming in. If we can make their entries messy, we’ll back ourselves to clean up.
JS: Q10. Final question, Tom. Give us your prediction for the game. Can West Coast pull off an upset, or will Hawthorn’s premiership credentials shine through? And any bold calls for a standout player?
TB: It’s going to be tight. West Coast are desperate for a win, and they’ve got the talent to cause problems if they click. But I’m backing the Hawks. Our system’s humming, and we’ve got that belief from last year’s finals run. I think we’ll grind them down and win by about 15 points. Standout player? I’ll go with Jai Newcombe—he’s going to monster the clearances and set the tone. For the Eagles, watch out for Hewett again; he’s got that X-factor. Should be a cracking game!
JS: Love the confidence, Tom! Thanks for joining us on Footy Focus. Best of luck on Sunday, and we’ll be watching to see if you can keep Harley Reid quiet.
TB: Cheers, Jeremy. Appreciate it. Let’s see if Harley can back up his big talk!
Podcast: "Footy Focus with Jeremy Sharp"
Episode: Previewing West Coast Eagles vs. Hawthorn, April 2025
Host: Jeremy Sharp
Guest: Tom Barrass (Hawthorn defender, former West Coast Eagle)
Jeremy Sharp (JS): Welcome to Footy Focus, where we dive into the biggest stories in the AFL. I’m your host, Jeremy Sharp, and today we’re joined by Hawthorn’s star defender and former West Coast Eagle, Tom Barrass. Tom, thanks for coming on the show ahead of what’s shaping up to be a spicy clash between the Hawks and the Eagles at Marvel Stadium this Sunday!
Tom Barrass (TB): Cheers, Jeremy. Great to be here. Yeah, it’s always a big one going up against the old club, especially with all the chatter this week.
JS: Q1. Let’s start with the elephant in the room. There’s been a lot of noise about Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell meeting with West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen earlier this month, which caused a bit of a stir in Perth. You’ve been at the center of a Hawks-Eagles trade yourself, Tom. What’s your take on the situation, and how do you think it’s affecting the Eagles’ prep for this game?
TB: Look, I feel for Oscar. He’s a proud Eagle, a great leader, and he’s copped a lot of flak for something that’s honestly just part of the modern game. Free agency means players talk to clubs—it’s not personal, it’s professional. Sam’s a smart operator; he’s always looking to build the Hawks’ future, like he did with me last year. But I reckon the Eagles will use this as fuel. Oscar’s a competitor, and I bet he’ll be out there leading from the front on Sunday, trying to prove a point. The boys will rally around him, no doubt.
JS: Q2. You mentioned your move to Hawthorn last year. This will be your first time facing West Coast since the trade. How’s it going to feel lining up against your old mates, and has there been any extra banter in the lead-up?
TB: It’ll be weird, I won’t lie. I spent a decade at West Coast, won a premiership, made lifelong mates. Facing them is going to feel like playing your brother in the backyard—you want to win, but it’s not quite the same. There’s been a bit of cheeky chat in the group texts, especially from Harley Reid, who reckons he’s going to barrel through me. I just told him to focus on his tackling technique first! But once the siren goes, it’s business. I’m a Hawk now, and I’m all about getting the four points.
JS: Q3. Speaking of Harley Reid, there’s a great story about him attending your wedding recently. Word is he was sitting with Sam Mitchell, maybe even chatting about footy. Can you give us a bit of insight into that moment, and how’s Harley going as a young star in the game?
TB: Haha, yeah, Harley was at the wedding, looking sharp in his suit—though I reckon he spent half the night trying to charm the bar staff for extra drinks! He did have a yarn with Sam at one point, but I think it was more about life than footy. Sam’s got a way of connecting with young players, you know? Harley’s a special kid—his talent’s obvious, but he’s also got this infectious energy. He’s struggling a bit with the attention this year, as you’d expect for a No. 1 pick, but he’s got the tools to be a superstar. West Coast are lucky to have him.
JS: Q4. Let’s talk about Hawthorn’s team defense, which has been a hallmark under Sam Mitchell. You’ve slotted into that backline seamlessly, but how important is the midfield pressure from guys like Jai Newcombe and James Worpel in making your job easier?
TB: Oh, it’s massive. Our mids are dogs—in the best way. Jai and Worpel, they hunt the ball like their lives depend on it. That pressure up the field means we defenders get cleaner looks at the ball coming in, not just chaos bombs. It lets us set up properly, whether it’s me, Sicily, or Frost reading the play. Last year, we worked hard on being competitive in tight moments, and this year the mids have taken it to another level. It’s why we’re in the premiership conversation. If they bring that heat on Sunday, it’ll make life tough for West Coast’s young engine room.
JS: Q5. West Coast’s midfield, though, is starting to show some promise. We saw Elijah Hewett have a breakout game against Essendon last week, and Harley Reid’s been moved around a bit, sometimes to half-back. How do you guys plan to handle their mix of youth and experience, like Tim Kelly?
TB: Yeah, Hewett was unreal last week—his second half was a nightmare for Essendon. He’s got that burst and physicality you can’t teach. Harley’s dangerous wherever he is, but I reckon we’ll see him in the guts more this week, especially with Kelly back in form. Our plan? Smother them early. We want to put their young mids under the pump with relentless pressure. If we let them get clean looks, they can hurt us, but if our mids win the contested ball, we’ll control the game. It’s about setting the tone from the first bounce.
JS: Q6. There’s been an interesting story about Andrew McQualter, the Eagles’ new coach, catching up with Sam Mitchell by chance during Gather Round in Adelaide. Apparently, they had a chat about motivating players, including this wild idea of slapping Gatorade bottles out of players’ hands at half-time to fire them up. Did you ever see anything like that from Sam when you were at West Coast, and what’s your take on Mini’s approach?
TB: Haha, that’s gold! I can just imagine Sam swatting a Gatorade bottle across the room to make a point. When I was at West Coast, Sam was an assistant, and he had this knack for getting under your skin in a good way—like, he’d challenge you with a look or a sharp word, and you’d be ready to run through walls. I haven’t seen the Gatorade trick, but it sounds like something he’d do for a laugh and to jolt the boys. As for Mini, I reckon he’s trying to instill that same fire. He’s got a tough gig at West Coast, but that chance meeting with Sam probably gave him a few ideas to spark the group. Motivation’s half the battle with a young list.
JS: Q7. You mentioned the premiership talk around Hawthorn. Sam Mitchell’s got a clear vision—ruthless at times, as we saw with trades like Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara. How’s he balancing that long-term focus with keeping the group tight for games like this one?
TB: Sam’s a master at it. He’s got this ability to make every player feel like they’re part of something bigger, but he’s not afraid to make hard calls. The Tom Mitchell and Jaeger trades were tough, but they showed he’s all about building a premiership side, not just a good one. For this game, he’s been hammering that it’s about us, not the noise around Oscar or me or Harley. He’s got us focused on executing our brand—hard, contested footy. That’s what makes him such a good coach: he’s always three steps ahead but keeps you locked in on the now.
JS: Q8. Let’s touch on the West Coast community, which has been vocal during the club’s rebuild. Raine Embley, Andrew Embley’s former wife, is a well-known figure in Eagles circles, and there’s been some historical tension tied to Sam Mitchell’s departure from West Coast years ago. Without diving into old rumors, how do you see the Eagles’ fanbase, including voices like Raine’s, reacting to this game given the current drama?
TB: Yeah, the Eagles’ fanbase is passionate, and they’ve been through a lot with the rebuild. Raine’s been part of that community for a long time, and she’s got a strong voice, like a lot of supporters. I’d rather not get into the old stories about Sam’s time at West Coast—it’s before my time, and I’m focused on the footy. But I know the fans, Raine included, are hurting with the team’s start this year. This game’s going to be emotional, especially with the Oscar Allen chatter and me in Hawks colors. They’ll be loud, whether it’s at the game or online, and if the Eagles show fight, they’ll have the fans’ backing. A loss, though, might amplify the frustration around the club’s direction.
JS: Q9. Back to the game itself. West Coast are bringing back Oscar Allen and have a tall forward line with Jake Waterman, Jack Williams, and maybe Archer Reid. How’s Hawthorn’s defense preparing for that aerial threat, especially under the roof at Marvel?
TB: It’s a challenge, no question. Oscar’s a gun when he’s on, and Waterman’s been kicking bags this year. Jack Williams is a big unit, too, and Archer’s got some tricks. The roof at Marvel means it’s a bit more predictable for us defenders—no wind to mess with marks—but we’ve got to be switched on. Our focus is on bodywork and spoiling, not letting them get clean grabs. Sicily’s been drilling us on positioning all week, and we’ll rely on our mids to slow the ball coming in. If we can make their entries messy, we’ll back ourselves to clean up.
JS: Q10. Final question, Tom. Give us your prediction for the game. Can West Coast pull off an upset, or will Hawthorn’s premiership credentials shine through? And any bold calls for a standout player?
TB: It’s going to be tight. West Coast are desperate for a win, and they’ve got the talent to cause problems if they click. But I’m backing the Hawks. Our system’s humming, and we’ve got that belief from last year’s finals run. I think we’ll grind them down and win by about 15 points. Standout player? I’ll go with Jai Newcombe—he’s going to monster the clearances and set the tone. For the Eagles, watch out for Hewett again; he’s got that X-factor. Should be a cracking game!
JS: Love the confidence, Tom! Thanks for joining us on Footy Focus. Best of luck on Sunday, and we’ll be watching to see if you can keep Harley Reid quiet.
TB: Cheers, Jeremy. Appreciate it. Let’s see if Harley can back up his big talk!
Last edited:
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lmach
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To be honest, I think it's your best work yet.
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I’ve never been so invested in a thread that so far says nothing.
TY24
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Santa Maria this is good
Both sublime and subtle, a truly enigmatic thread full of suspense and expectation!
Will the game be like this?
Who's Tom Barrass?
Will the game be like this?
Who's Tom Barrass?
37 minutes into the match everyone needs to Harry Highpants in honor of the great Mad Dog of Scarborough
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I feel informed.
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Looking forward to Allen high fiving and hugging all his teammates after the game ends. His hawthorn team mates
If Mini is smart he will play Waterman deep on Barrass. I struggle to see us getting enough out of our midfield against the hawks but Waterman is the perfect player to expose Barrass' weaknesses.
I don't think Allen has the running power atm to espose Barrass.
I don't think Allen has the running power atm to espose Barrass.
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Quite possibly the greatest piece of prose ever created.
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