Remove this Banner Ad

Game Day Round 7, 2025: West Coast vs Hawthorn (aka Midfield Pressure at Any Price: The Tom Barrass Story)

Who makes way for Oscar Allen

  • Jack Williams

    Votes: 4 8.0%
  • Jack Darling

    Votes: 13 26.0%
  • Jack Graham

    Votes: 1 2.0%
  • Jack Hutchinson

    Votes: 1 2.0%
  • Jack Minivan

    Votes: 8 16.0%
  • Jack Watts

    Votes: 23 46.0%

  • Total voters
    50

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Alright just got home from work and notice that campaigner TB stitched me up, last time I will lend him my account. Was supposed to do the match preview but skyves off then leaks the transcript from my unreleased pod. Unreal, you guys are better off without him tbh. He also conveniently edited the transcript. Here's the ACTUAL transcript, will be released on my Myspace in the next 24 hours hopefully.

Podcast: "Footy Tracker, Running the Numbers 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 Tracker, Running the Numbers with Jeremy Sharp, 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. Gotta say, though, Footy Tracker, Running the Numbers? Bit of a mouthful, mate. Maybe try Footy Focus—short, snappy, gets the job done! [laughs]
JS: Haha, I’ll take it under advisement, Tom, but I think I’ll stick with the title for now. Let’s get into it.

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 talk about one of West Coast’s forwards, Jamie Cripps. You played alongside him for years, Tom. How’s he been tracking this season, and with the Eagles struggling, do you think dropping him might send a message to the group?
TB: Crippa’s been a trooper, as always. He’s not racking up bags every week, but his pressure’s still top-notch, and he’s got that knack for a clutch goal. The Eagles’ forward line’s been a bit up and down, but he’s holding his own. Dropping him? Nah, I reckon he’s still got too much to offer—his experience is gold for a young side. [chuckles] Look, Jeremy, I know you’ve got your reasons for asking about Crippa—some old yarn from way back that’s got you all worked up. Most of us reckon it’s a bit of a laugh now, like you’re still writing breakup songs about it! I’ve had my own little dust-ups with him, mind you, but Crippa’s a premiership hero. He’ll be out to make life tough for us on Sunday.

JS: Q9. Fair enough, but let me reframe it. Cripps is 33 now, and some argue he might be taking a list spot from a developing player like Tom Gross or Bo Allen, even a Harvey Johnston. Do you think West Coast should prioritize youth over a veteran like him, or does he still justify his place?
TB: Mate, you’re not letting this go, are you? [laughs] Let’s move on from the Crippa saga—sounds like you’ve got a personal score to settle! But seriously, at 33, he’s still bringing value. His work rate sets the tone, and you can’t teach the nous he’s got. Young blokes like Long and Maric will get their time, but Crippa’s not just hogging a spot—he’s teaching them how to compete. Let’s talk about the game plan or something, yeah?

JS: Q10. 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: Q11. 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: Q12. 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 Tracker, Running the Numbers. 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!
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

So which of our player(s) will Mitchell meet with on the ground after the game - after which the plsyer and Mitchell will claim to be shocked that it became public knowledge?
 
Petrol definitely was not good today. Gross was the standout, Hall got a fair bit however disposal was shabby.
Just goes to show, can't rely on stats alone.
Re Gross, the only mid type to show consistency.
Hall and Allan ongoing shabby disposal...
 

Remove this Banner Ad

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.

We lock down on Newcombe's effectiveness and they have no Nash or Day.

Hawks look vulnerable atm.

Our backs line up well on the Hawks forwards. Gunston and Chol we can handle.

Baker and Cole on Gin and Watson.

Put Harley head to head with Newcombe.

We must lower our eyes and kick to a leading forward on the 45s. No bombing it in a straight line directly at goal. Hawks defenders will feast on that.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Shit you can't say McQualter isn't trying new things.
Sounds like Baker will be playing back as well then. Assuming Davis is sub and Dewar players wing:

Defenders: Allen Gov, Cole, Baker, Maric, Ginbey, Duggan*
Mids: Flynn, Harley, Hewett, Hough, Hutch, Graham
Wing: Hunt Dewar*
Forwards: Waterman, AReid, Williams, Long, Owies, Cripps, Ryan
 
Sounds like Hough to the middle and Allen to full back.
Cole back in makes sense, and no Gross to replace Kelly fits too

View attachment 2295879View attachment 2295880
Keep Going Jimmy Fallon GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Remove this Banner Ad

Remove this Banner Ad

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top