West Coast - When will the AFL step in?

[Snuffaluphagus]

They will step in because WCE are a cash cow who props up at least 4 vic clubs, but they shouldnt.

I think Allen getting band 1 "just" will be their help. They wont do anything else. Also, WC will be a cash cow with 1 win results for the next decade, dont think they need to be pushed up to keep supporting the AFL financially.

 

[garlic munchers]

WC and Freo fans arguing who's forward is more useless.

Mute point when we have Shannahannnnnn!

 

[Scotland]

They will step in because WCE are a cash cow who props up at least 4 vic clubs, but they shouldnt.

We aren't, though.

On 2024 numbers we were second for match day and membership revenue (top 3 40m, 38m, 37m,. next best 29m) and first for sponsorship and marking revenue (5m clear of second). That doesn't really help the AFL, that helps the club. The main thing we do for the AFL is make sure they can give us the smallest dividend of central funding. And if they equalised that and gave everyone $23m then we would do what exactly with an extra $6m? We'd end up spending $2-3m to just hand the rest back for being over the soft cap.

The fact that we made $38m averaging 43k crowds and Collingwood made $40m averaging 65k shows the strength of our membership base. The AFL froth over "blockbusters" at the MCG because they sell tickets which put money in AFL/MCC coffers. They don't care if 40k WC members show up one week and 45k the next.

The WA clubs also fund WA football and get nothing for it but that's an aside.

 

[Former Decathlete]

We aren't, though.

On 2024 numbers we were second for match day and membership revenue (top 3 40m, 38m, 37m,. next best 29m) and first for sponsorship and marking revenue (5m clear of second). That doesn't really help the AFL, that helps the club. The main thing we do for the AFL is make sure they can give us the smallest dividend of central funding. And if they equalised that and gave everyone $23m then we would do what exactly with an extra $6m? We'd end up spending $2-3m to just hand the rest back for being over the soft cap.

The fact that we made $38m averaging 43k crowds and Collingwood made $40m averaging 65k shows the strength of our membership base. The AFL froth over "blockbusters" at the MCG because they sell tickets which put money in AFL/MCC coffers. They don't care if 40k WC members show up one week and 45k the next.

The WA clubs also fund WA football and get nothing for it but that's an aside.

Didn't read but seems like copium.

 

[Scotland]

I think Allen getting band 1 "just" will be there help. They wont do anything else. Also, WC will be a cash cow with 1 win results for the next decade, dont think they need to be pushed up to keep supporting the AFL financially.

The real argument pro PP from the AFL is optics. WC will be fine but if they don't want teams winning <5 games a season year on year they have the trigger to pull.

 

[Scotland]

Didn't read but seems like copium.

Maybe if you read you will understand.

History suggests you won't but give it a shot.

 

[Purple Suit]

Ah so back peddling now that the recent draftees (last 3 years) is too early to tell?

Thanks captain obvious.

Any other obvious observations you have for us?

BTW that useless drafting and those unknown kids rolled your mob last season and convincingly. And have improved in 2025.

No back pedalling, just point out we don’t know what has improved yet. There is a very long list of players showing something but not having an AFL career. Naihuus kicked 4 on debut for Freo (who you say?).

We got rolled by your senior players having a day out and my team playing crap after a few weeks in Adelaide. It can happen, just ask the Saints.

How have you improved with only 1 win in 2025?

 

[Maylandsman]

How have you improved with only 1 win in 2025?

They added a record to their name.
The incoming pithy responses should be humourless.

 

[MrPenguin]

I just hope whatever assistance we do get doesn't impact the father/son for the Vic clubs. I'd hate to see the son of Carlton royalty request a trade to their bitter rival. Won't someone think of the fathers?

 

[poshman]

Within ten years of winning a flag you should get nothing.

Within five years of trading three firsts for another tilt at a flag… nothing.

I’m fine with the father son rule. Northern academies and making teams pay up is what is required.

 

[Shueygod]

Within ten years of winning a flag you should get nothing.

Within five years of trading three firsts for another tilt at a flag… nothing.

I’m fine with the father son rule. Northern academies and making teams pay up is what is required.

Which three firsts did the eagles trade for another tilt at a flag?

 

[Mesc]

Which three firsts did the eagles trade for another tilt at a flag?

2 firsts and 2 seconds for Tim Kelly was pretty bad in hind sight you must admit. If West Coast won another flag with him though we wouldnt be having this conversation.

 

[bzparkes]

They will step in because WCE are a cash cow who props up at least 4 vic clubs, but they shouldnt.

You're right, we shouldn't be propping up broke Vic clubs but it's about time we got something back for it, at least.

 

[bzparkes]

Didn't read but seems like copium.

Didn't read but seems like a complete w***er wrote this post.

 

[Deepthroat]

The new Groupthink narrative that seems to be growing legs in the Vic "anti-assistance" circles is WC should have traded older players away for picks when these players had value.

No examples provided of who should have been traded and what year they should have gone.

The only one I would offer is Yeo to Adelaide last year. A FA move may have netted an end of first rounder (if the $800k over 3 years reported was correct), more likely a 2nd round pick.

So Yeo for Pick 28 0r 32 last year, not exactly a big loss there.

This talk will continue without any real challenge for actual examples and be blown up like some significant advantage has been missed.

 

[Rich01]

The new Groupthink narrative that seems to be growing legs in the Vic "anti-assistance" circles is WC should have traded older players away for picks when these players had value.

No examples provided of who should have been traded and what year they should have gone.

The only one I would offer is Yeo to Adelaide last year. A FA move may have netted an end of first rounder (if the $800k over 3 years reported was correct), more likely a 2nd round pick.

So Yeo for Pick 28 0r 32 last year, not exactly a big loss there.

This talk will continue without any real challenge for actual examples and be blown up like some significant advantage has been missed.

I have the opposite view.

They have traded (and will trade) too many players away that will expose their young core too much and hinder their development long term unless they get some older retreads in to support them.

I see no value in turfing Ryan for a future second rounder after losing Allen and Darling and relying on Waterman coming back from injury after one good season.

The injuries to the players they chose to keep in Sheed, McGovern and Yeo only exacerbates this decision to cut too deep.

They can’t go full youth and need some senior support.

Expect more retreads of the likes of Owies and Graham to come in on the cheap to support this group over the next 3-4 years to replace the guys they have shepherded out.

The free kick they will get in not having their laughable Allen compo watered down is a decent enough ask. It’s essentially giving them an end of first rounder that they get to use of Starcevich. Best they use it on a senior player to support the kids, that’s what assistance should be used for.

Add some more list spots for the next three years and that helps them without impacting the rest of the comp too much.

 

[Deepthroat]

I have the opposite view.

They have traded (and will trade) too many players away that will expose their young core too much and hinder their development long term unless they get some older retreads in to support them.

I see no value in turfing Ryan for a future second rounder after losing Allen and Darling and relying on Waterman coming back from injury after one good season.

The injuries to the players they chose to keep in Sheed, McGovern and Yeo only exacerbates this decision to cut too deep.

They can’t go full youth and need some senior support.

Expect more retreads of the likes of Owies and Graham to come in on the cheap to support this group over the next 3-4 years to replace the guys they have shepherded out.

The free kick they will get in not having their laughable Allen compo watered down is a decent enough ask. It’s essentially giving them an end of first rounder that they get to use of Starcevich. Best they use it on a senior player to support the kids, that’s what assistance should be used for.

Add some more list spots for the next three years and that helps them without impacting the rest of the comp too much.

2024 Jack Darling (finished), Tom Barrass

2023 -

2022 - Willie Rioli

2021 Tom Hickey

You reckon these blokes would have made a big difference in '25?

 

[Rich01]

2024 Jack Darling (finished), Tom Barrass

2023 -

2022 - Willie Rioli

2021 Tom Hickey

You reckon these blokes would have made a big difference in '25?

Darling kicked as many goals as your leading goalkicker this year. Ryan kicked your second most and you are punting him.

As for development, yep I think it’s important to have experience in every line to support the youth.

Backline - Barrass and McGovern gone. Duggan the senior leader remaining along with Baker.

Midfield- Sheed gone. Yeo questionable.
Kelly the senior leader. Supported by Jack Graham.

Forwards- Allen, Ryan, Darling gone.
Waterman (who is coming back from season ended injury having kicked more than 18 goals in a season only once in his career) and Owies the senior leaders.

When you have a young squad and Duggan, Baker, Graham, Owies, Kelly are your senior leaders on the field, and the hope that Yeo and Waterman get back to their absolute best, there’s big risk there.

 

[JackFlash]

The AFL have a problem, former footballing powerhouses Carlton and Essendon are now mediocre clubs enduring their worst football drought since inception, the problem is they both have huge memberships and support. West Coast are arguably the richest club in the League with a huge membership and can't beat an egg. They only won a flag 7 years ago and are crying out for help? Is it so bad though? They will get picks 1 & 2 in this year's draft and they just resigned the overrated Harley Reid for a fortune for two more years, he better start winning them some games off his own boot in that time instead of being the petulant king? I suspect he will bide his time until a club in Melbourne can actually do a trade deal with West Coast, he's not going to a dud team that's for sure. The Eagles need to get their recruiting sorted out, they don't need any other help.

 

[bzparkes]

The AFL have a problem, former footballing powerhouses Carlton and Essendon are now mediocre clubs enduring their worst football drought since inception, the problem is they both have huge memberships and support. West Coast are arguably the richest club in the League with a huge membership and can't beat an egg. They only won a flag 7 years ago and are crying out for help? Is it so bad though? They will get picks 1 & 2 in this year's draft and they just resigned the overrated Harley Reid for a fortune for two more years, he better start winning them some games off his own boot in that time instead of being the petulant king? I suspect he will bide his time until a club in Melbourne can actually do a trade deal with West Coast, he's not going to a dud team that's for sure. The Eagles need to get their recruiting sorted out, they don't need any other help.

Why would Melbourne clubs want the 'overrated' Harley Reid?

 

[Cleric]

The AFL have a problem, former footballing powerhouses Carlton and Essendon are now mediocre clubs enduring their worst football drought since inception, the problem is they both have huge memberships and support. West Coast are arguably the richest club in the League with a huge membership and can't beat an egg. They only won a flag 7 years ago and are crying out for help? Is it so bad though? They will get picks 1 & 2 in this year's draft and they just resigned the overrated Harley Reid for a fortune for two more years, he better start winning them some games off his own boot in that time instead of being the petulant king? I suspect he will bide his time until a club in Melbourne can actually do a trade deal with West Coast, he's not going to a dud team that's for sure. The Eagles need to get their recruiting sorted out, they don't need any other help.

Theres two sides to it.
1. Yes, WC need to sort themselves out. They need to attract good players to come to their club, and they also need to nail their draft picks.
The draft is only one third of what you need to win to get up the ladder. You also need to bring in some elite players from other clubs at the trade table, or FA, and you also need to find some bargain pick ups. Im talking about players similar to what Adelaide did with Keays, Hinge, Keane and Murray. Getting these free hits are so important.
If Adelaide had of just nailed their draft picks but didnt have Rankine, Dawson, Keays, Hinge, Murray, Keane, ANB, Peatling and Cummings, we would still be near the bottom of the ladder. Not saying this to pump up Adelaide, rather to show how the draft is only one part of rebuilding.

2. Regardless of all of the above, WC are entitled to the exact same PPs and help that the AFL gave North and the Suns. The AFL cannot say "oh, WC is a big club in AFL heartland, they will always be ok" and treat them differently. Thats what a biased and unfair competition would do.

I am ok with them getting pick 2 for Allen even though its well overs, I am ok with an extended rookie list, I am ok with them prelisting NGA kids, I am ok with an end of first round pick next year if they are still at the bottom, but I'm not ok with them being allowed to keep full compo pick for Allen while getting another player in as a FA. Thats just ridiculous as no other team has had that given to them.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Darling kicked as many goals as your leading goalkicker this year. Ryan kicked your second most and you are punting him.

As for development, yep I think it’s important to have experience in every line to support the youth.

Backline - Barrass and McGovern gone. Duggan the senior leader remaining along with Baker.

Midfield- Sheed gone. Yeo questionable.
Kelly the senior leader. Supported by Jack Graham.

Forwards- Allen, Ryan, Darling gone.
Waterman (who is coming back from season ended injury having kicked more than 18 goals in a season only once in his career) and Owies the senior leaders.

When you have a young squad and Duggan, Baker, Graham, Owies, Kelly are your senior leaders on the field, and the hope that Yeo and Waterman get back to their absolute best, there’s big risk there.

Still with the Darling thIng mate?

I told you a few days ago, pretending like you have the slightest clue what you are talking about with the Eagles list and using 'gahhhduhhhh they should have kept Jack Darlinggggg' (I was more polite last time) makes it very apparent you have absolutely no clue what you are on about.

 

[Bluelegs]

West Coast requesting 'not a priority pick' is actually genius. Seems like the sort of nonsense the AFL would love to go for.

 

[Rich01]

Still with the Darling thIng mate?

I told you a few days ago, pretending like you have the slightest clue what you are talking about with the Eagles list and using 'gahhhduhhhh they should have kept Jack Darlinggggg' (I was more polite last time) makes it very apparent you have absolutely no clue what you are on about.

It’s not about one player mate. It’s about the dilution of senior players lost due to trading them away and injury.

Losing Darling, Allen and Ryan as individual pieces aren’t big, but altogether, especially when Waterman is coming off a season ending injury and has had one good season, is a risk.
It means you rely on Owies as your leader up forward.

I’ve been pretty clear in that and it’s not hard for most to comprehend. I might have overestimated some posters though.

 

[bzparkes]

It’s not about one player mate. It’s about the dilution of senior players lost due to trading them away and injury.

Losing Darling, Allen and Ryan as individual pieces aren’t big, but altogether, especially when Waterman is coming off a season ending injury and has had one good season, is a risk.
It means you rely on Owies as your leader up forward.

I’ve been pretty clear in that and it’s not hard for most to comprehend. I might have overestimated some posters though.

Someone forgot Cripps exists, it seems.