Horror passage encapsulates Eagles’ “witches hats”… and highlights the harsh reality they currently face.
One incredibly horrible play segment captured the sorry state of a now-shadow-of-a-club on the worst day in West Coast’s AFL history.
Sydney won the centre bounce clearance slightly behind centre, and they were ahead by 143 points following a goal from Hayden McLean. As they dashed past multiple potential tacklers from the West Coast, Tom Papley, Errol Gulden, and Ollie Florent synchronized their movements with one another.
Then, just outside the 50-yard line, Florent handballed the ball to Luke Parker, who then fed it to Chad Warner by himself. Subsequently, Warner effortlessly sidestepped Bailey Williams, dashed past Tim Kelly, and found himself in seemingly endless space near the goal.
Warner passed the ball to Isaac Heeney, who was unopposed, and Warner received it back. Remarkably, Warner remained unopposed. To make matters more embarrassing, he then avoided Tom Barrass.
Warner then had a chance at goal that sailed through for a behind after putting in so much effort. Shocked that he had blown such a great chance, he placed his hands on his head.
However, Fox Footy commentators were astounded by Warner’s waltz towards goal, and their initial silence afterward was deafening.
“Hopefully, this fourth quarter won’t be like that passage of play. Fox Footy was told by dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna that “that’s as bad as you’ll see from any side.”
Adds Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy: “There are hats worn by witches.”
Unfortunately for the Eagles and head coach Adam Simpson, things only got worse from there. Sydney scored five more goals to end with a score of 31.19 (205), which was the highest score West Coast had ever given up and the second-highest score in Swans history.
And the ultimate 171-point margin was West Coast’s worst-ever defeat and Sydney’s equal-greatest victory.
The Eagles, plagued by injuries throughout their 2023 campaign, entered Saturday night’s game having already lost three of their opening three games by more than 100 points. However, none of those efforts were close to the jaw-droppingly awful display against Sydney.
Healy stated, “I don’t think anyone saw it being as steep and deep as this. It’s been coming for a couple of years.”
They’ve all come to the realization that there is still a very long way to go. However, upon viewing it on the screen… It truly is shocking. You ask yourself, “How long will this rebuild take?”
Simpson promised disgruntled fans that his team had a clear plan to replenish the playing roster through upcoming national drafts after the team lost to Adelaide by 122 points two weeks ago. He said, “We’re going to transition the list pretty quickly, it’s going to be one of the youngest lists in the comp in a year or so.” If possible, we would like to have a few selections at the top.
Healy stated that the Eagles had to make sure all of their next picks were perfect.
He stated, “The Eagles just need to make wise selections at the draft.” “At the end of the year, they can target one, two, or three players; the important thing is to make sure they get those specific players and develop into 200-game players over the long term.” It must also remain the same the following year and the year after that. They can then resume their activities.
“These guys, the senior guys who are still on the list, need to pledge that they will be dedicated to this rebuild. They might have to put in just as much effort to get ready for the next flag as they did for the last one.
Alastair Lynch, a triple premiership winner, continued, “The West Coast Eagles will bring in some top young talent and evolve the list.” However, the older players continue to play a vital role during that time to ensure that the younger players perform to the appropriate level and don’t suffer any physical or psychological harm during this period of transition.
West Coast is still a strong favorite to place last on the standings. And if that happens, there will be demands for the Eagles to “split” their top pick instead in order to obtain several early selections to aid in their rebuilding.
Strong WA-based talent, led by winger Riley Hardeman of Swan Districts, Mitch Edwards and Clay Hall of Peel Thunder, and utility Daniel Curtin of Claremont, will aid in making those calls.
However, it would mean they would miss out on Harley Reid, a star player for the Bendigo Pioneers and one of the best prospects to come through the system, according to recruiters.
“This debate is excellent. They need a wide range of talent to come through this draft, so I think they have to be willing to consider it, depending on what the other picks are in return,” Montagna stated.
“They have to be open to it if there are three picks within the top 10, even if it’s one this year and one more the next.
“It’s something to think about and see if they can get more numbers through the door and build together, get a group of eight to ten of these high-end young talent to build that next premiership wave,” the player who is selected first in the draft isn’t always the best player from that draft pool.
After an Eagles performance like they gave on Saturday night, there are always going to be victims.
Normally, the coach is the first to go. However, Bulldogs games record holder Brad Johnson told Fox Footy that, despite his and the team’s previous commitment to seeing the rebuild through, the club will make a “big decision” in the next 24 hours regarding whether Simpson should stay as senior coach.
“We recognize that they have committed to the journey with Adam Simpson and that it will continue.” However, it begs the question of where this journey will end, Johnson told Fox Footy.
The Eagles could turn things around, Healy said, but not quickly.
“Just to put things in perspective and bring some reality back to this regarding the Eagles’ current situation.” We are discussing a defeat with margins that are comparable to those from 1987. Okay, in 1992 they did win a flag,” he remarked.
“I understand that the list build scenario has changed since then, but with the right choices, you can accomplish amazing things in the next three to five years.”
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