Opinion Should the team ask for a Priority Pick 2025 edition.

[Jumpoff Joey]

I asked ChatGPT to figure out if WC deserve a priority pick

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West Coast at the End of 2025 (So Far)

Key Facts

Year Ladder Position Wins Percentage

2022 17th 2 ~59%
2023 18th 3 ~54%
2024 16th 5 68.1%
2025 18th (current) 0-8 57.7%


Over the last 3.5 seasons, they’ve managed only 10 wins and consistently held one of the worst percentages in the AFL, indicating deep structural issues, not just bad luck.

Their current 2025 form suggests no significant recovery despite high draft picks and a multi-year rebuild.



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What This Signals

1. Sustained On-Field Failure

Four consecutive years in the bottom 3 (including likely a third wooden spoon).

Averaging 2–3 wins per season, and consistently non-competitive in games.

Their percentage (especially in 2025) shows they are not just losing, but getting heavily outplayed week after week.


2. Stalled Rebuild

The addition of elite talent like Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, etc., has not translated into competitiveness.

There’s growing evidence that the club’s list, development pathways, or gameplan aren’t progressing, even with elite draftees.


3. Comparative Precedent Strengthens

West Coast’s current situation is now arguably worse than what triggered assistance for:

Melbourne (2009–2013) – bottom 3 for multiple years with poor % and blowout losses.

North Melbourne (2021–2023) – granted priority picks after sustained failure and poor youth development.

Gold Coast (multiple) – received both pre-draft and post-season help during repeated cellar-dwelling.


4. No Justifiable AFL Excuse to Delay

By end of 2025, if the Eagles remain winless or finish last with under 3 wins and a sub-60% percentage, the AFL would have little room to argue that they are "rebounding."

Their off-field wealth is now irrelevant if it’s not translating to on-field improvement, which is what priority assistance is about.



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Reassessed Conclusion (2025 Context)

Yes, based on four consecutive bottom-tier finishes, deteriorating form in 2025, and an unproductive rebuild, West Coast should qualify for an AFL priority pick at the end of the 2025 season.

What Assistance is Justifiable?

End-of-first-round priority pick (before trades, but after finals teams)

Or mid-first-round pick between natural first-round and pick 11, similar to concessions granted to North Melbourne.

Possibly conditions attached, like youth development plans, coaching transition, or football department reviews.



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Final Verdict

If West Coast ends 2025 with 0–3 wins and another bottom-two finish, the AFL would have a clear obligation to intervene. The situation fits both the letter and spirit of priority pick criteria: chronic non-competitiveness, stalled rebuild, and no recovery trajectory.

Lock the thread

I cant believe I agree with a language model - The argument is sound.

The VaFL are campaigners. All things equal without being equal.

 

[Choogler]

This is an argument as to why PPs/assistance shouldn't exist at all (which i agree with)

But they do exist

But they shouldn't !

 

[Grumpyshades]

lol no chance we get one


we got an extra home game this year (of course they waited till we were a bottom 4 side)..In the AFL eyes that's us done for about 100 years

 

[Choogler]

As the season drags on and the WAFL side continues to just be unacceptable and we also have salary cap room coming out of the wazoo, we could have a easier time of it if we just simply ask for 4 extra list spots for the rookie list . Gives us the chance to get the best of the best reserve players by being able to offer them AFL spots.

If we could do this in the off season and pick up say Brew, Sellwood, Deven Robertson and then say a speculative youngster it will be more palatable for the AFL to just accept and move on, gives us a actual fairly big win in making up for moving on the elderly we have and giving the WAFL youngsters a copout whereby we can give players different roles and opportunities during the season as opposed to stunting development by having to stick them into pigeon holed roles due to the lack of numbers

If we get extra rookie spots we need to go out and sign-up the tallest, most athletic ruckman we can find. Not sure if Deven is an answer.

 

[Balls In]

This article calling for an extra three first rounders over the next three years. Personally I reckon even that won't fix us WA needs a form of zone recruitment, soft cap relief etc. At least the national media has picked up on how dire things are for us.

Five takeaways: Huge call the AFL must make on spiralling Eagles

St Kilda's looming $1.7m call is salary cap madness

www.nine.com.au

 

[WCErevival]

This article calling for an extra three first rounders over the next three years. Personally I reckon even that won't fix us WA needs a form of zone recruitment, soft cap relief etc. At least the national media has picked up on how dire things are for us.

Five takeaways: Huge call the AFL must make on spiralling Eagles

St Kilda's looming $1.7m call is salary cap madness

www.nine.com.au

"The AFL haven't given a priority pick out since Gold Coast in 2019. North Melbourne have been at the bottom and received nothing."

Huh? Is the guy that wrote that on crack?

 

[DorothyG]

North received draft quirks not priority picks. Big difference

 

[chaddy22]

If Mcgovern is medically retired with his concussion issues i think the Eagles should explore a priority pick.
No club will have had a worse record in losing players in the last six years than the Eagles.
Round 9 2019 Daniel Venables had a huge collision and it was his last game.Former first round pick.
Round 22 2021 Brad Shepherd got his second concussion of the year and retired.
A 2020 all australian and yes he was 30 but you would think he had three good years left in him.
If Mcgovern has to retire he leaves one and a half years left on his contract and still in good form and what a joke it will be if it happens and the player who caused it didn't get suspended.

 

[chaddy22]

i forgot Luke Edwards who decided to step away from football to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions, and was delisted by the Eagles at the end of the 2024 season.
So that's four players in six years

 

[DanWCE]

I don't think Gov shifts the needle much in regards to PP. We lose him for 1.5 seasons if he hangs the boots up. It's nothing like losing a high draft pick talent really early on.

 

[chaddy22]

I don't think Gov shifts the needle much in regards to PP. We lose him for 1.5 seasons if he hangs the boots up. It's nothing like losing a high draft pick talent really early on.

Add all those players since Venables and the Willie Rioli saga and it is no wonder we have declined so much.
If we don't get a PP second or third rounder the player who we get will might be pick 65or we might keep someone who would have been likely delisted

 

[MrWoollie]

lol no chance we get one


we got an extra home game this year (of course they waited till we were a bottom 4 side)..In the AFL eyes that's us done for about 100 years

Let's say we end up with...

Pick 1 - for being crap and coming last
Pick 2 - Band 1 for Oscar Allen
Pick 3 and 4 (and a future 1st rounder) - from Richmond for Harley

I'm with you. AFL would laugh at any request for draft assistance.
Despite the fact that we would have lost...

Multiple players to concussion, most of them 1st round selections. Possibly adding multiple AA Gov to that list.
Oscar Allen.
Former pick 1 Harley.
Being crapper for longer than other clubs that have received compensation.

PS. We may get some token NGA concessions or indigenous zone selections or something that looks like assistance but isn't really.

But, But, But...
they won a premiership in 2018.

 

[Andyy]

Let's say we end up with...

Pick 1 - for being crap and coming last
Pick 2 - Band 1 for Oscar Allen
Pick 3 and 4 (and a future 1st rounder) - from Richmond for Harley

I'm with you. AFL would laugh at any request for draft assistance.
Despite the fact that we would have lost...

Multiple players to concussion, most of them 1st round selections. Possibly adding multiple AA Gov to that list.
Oscar Allen.
Former pick 1 Harley.
Being crapper for longer than other clubs that have received compensation.

PS. We may get some token NGA concessions or indigenous zone selections or something that looks like assistance but isn't really.

But, But, But...
they won a premiership in 2018.

I've suggested to Tiger fans the prospect of trading P2+3 for Reid if WCE would take it.

Not sure I'd throw in the F1 as well though.

Not saying I wouldn't think about it though.

Would want something coming back this year so we can pick up the Kellaway boy under F/S, just need a few points etc.

 

[Lazzas]

I don't think Gov shifts the needle much in regards to PP. We lose him for 1.5 seasons if he hangs the boots up. It's nothing like losing a high draft pick talent really early on.

 

[Woutizmoo]

I think it's time all the clubs (except norf) got together and passed a motion of no confidence in Kane.
She has to go as she's G.N.F.I. Keep up the pressure on her

So unlike 99% of bf, this came true! Does it change much of the equation for us? Is pykey mates with greg swann at all?

 

[ThePuma #9]

Greatly appreciated that we are finally playing the media game with Rhinos interview of Pyke.

Clearly some of the questions were put on the agenda before the chat, allowing us to talk about the potential for a priority pick and what that would look like by also reminding the AFL we've won 10 games in 3 years and only one so far this year. Pykes comments about how compromised the draft is for a club picking 1 to be picking 30 with its second pick rather than 19 was beautiful.

We also made mention of how Oscar Allen

12

Oscar Allen

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

would surely have to fetch a high pick if he left, but that we don't want him to leave of course...... he's our Captain... but if someone else is offering a longer deal on bigger money..... well then.





The names Pyke.... Alistair Pyke.

 

[Grahame]

If Mcgovern is medically retired with his concussion issues i think the Eagles should explore a priority pick.
No club will have had a worse record in losing players in the last six years than the Eagles.
Round 9 2019 Daniel Venables had a huge collision and it was his last game.Former first round pick.
Round 22 2021 Brad Shepherd got his second concussion of the year and retired.
A 2020 all australian and yes he was 30 but you would think he had three good years left in him.
If Mcgovern has to retire he leaves one and a half years left on his contract and still in good form and what a joke it will be if it happens and the player who caused it didn't get suspended.

Left field - I wonder if there’s any correlation between excessive long distance travel and concussion? Whether it is a factor - even a negligible one?

Given we’ve got soooo much money we seemingly can’t spend, I’d be hoping the club is funding all sorts of research into anything that constitutes a disadvantage. In this case, the amount of travel we do compared with most clubs and especially the Victorian clubs.

 

[Obeanie1]

I cant believe I agree with a language model - The argument is sound.

The VaFL are campaigners. All things equal without being equal.

Wonder what Chat GTP thinks about Victorian bias and the AFL meddling with the draft?

Hell, we may have found the next AFL CEO.


Wouldnt that be hilarious. We would get non bias leadership and you dont have to pay the AI CEO any bonuses for dodgy deals that erode the integrity of the game.

Where do we sign up?

 

[Obeanie1]

Left field - I wonder if there’s any correlation between excessive long distance travel and concussion? Whether it is a factor - even a negligible one?

Given we’ve got soooo much money we seemingly can’t spend, I’d be hoping the club is funding all sorts of research into anything that constitutes a disadvantage. In this case, the amount of travel we do compared with most clubs and especially the Victorian clubs.

Flying post game with a corky or impact injury that caused internal bleeding is detremental 5o recovery is my understanding.

Concussion......inflamation / brusing. Change of atmospheric pressure flying likely doesnt help.

 

[WA footy mad]

North received draft quirks not priority picks. Big difference

Id like to see WCE get the same as what NM got. They got a huge boost.

 

[WA footy mad]

Pre-Trade Period​

The AFL Commission provided North Melbourne with an assistance package during the lead-in to the Trade Period which included the following:

• One end-of-first round selection in the 2023 AFL Draft (currently pick 19)
• Two end-of-first round selections in the 2024 AFL Draft (currently picks 19 and 20)
• The continuation of the club’s ability to have two additional rookie list spots in season 2024

 

[Cuzz09]

Cant see the harm in asking tbh

Weve been pretty bad and affecting the ladder and therefore the comp

 

[Dark Sharks]

"They won a flag 7 years ago...."

"This is their own doing..."

"Santa Maria..."

 

[BG__]

I’ve always been very anti priority pick, but with how compromised the draft has become we almost have to get a package to assist.

I wouldn’t even think of it as ‘assistance’ but more the AFL making up for how our second and third rounders keep getting so pushed back the last few years.

 

[Woutizmoo]

I’ve always been very anti priority pick, but with how compromised the draft has become we almost have to get a package to assist.

I wouldn’t even think of it as ‘assistance’ but more the AFL making up for how our second and third rounders keep getting so pushed back the last few years.

yeah it feels like the GST pain we cop every year. get 30c to the dollar return, but get some 40m kick back every election cycle.