https://www.afl.com.au/news/1260258/inside-the-draft-callum-twomey-takes-a-closer-look-at-the-dealing-behind-the-scenes-at-the-2024-telstra-afl-draft

Fucking loved his press conference

1. Harley Reid

This needs no explanation. Harley is a future brownlow medalist. 2. Reuben Ginbey Regardless if he becomes a third tall/rebounding defender or a midfielder, I’m confident we’ve seen enough to suggest he will play 250 games for the club. Love him at half back but can see him looking better in the midfield if we acquire a high possession midfielder to put next to him. 3. Brady Hough Might be high for some but I think Brady is the third safest player on the list. He has become one of the leagues best lockdown defenders and is tall enough to play on medium forwards too. Would love to see him attacking more from defensive 50 4. Elijah Hewett I believe Elijah should be #2 on this list on potential, but has not shown he can stay healthy just yet. I see him as another forward half explosive midfielder who can hit the scoreboard regularly. Think ben cousins/chad warner is his ceiling. The question is will he get there. 5. Jack Williams Absolute steal of the draft and will should never get dropped from the team again. Will be the perfect modern day third tall/second ruck. I really believe he has the ability and mobility to be the key forward who moves down back if needed. 6. Bo Allan Would be very surprised if Bo does not play round 1. Regardless if he becomes a full time mid (Elliot Yeo like) in the future, I believe he will be a very decent player for us. His combine testing was fantastic, finishing very high in all agility and jumping tests. 7. Ryan Maric Fantastic user of the ball by foot. Has not found a position in the team yet, but hopefully the new coach puts him in a spot to succeed. I thought he was great on the wing, but I would love to see him trialled down back as an intercepting/rebounding defender. Unfortunately we seem to be clogged at that position. 8. Jobe Shanahan Unreal to get Jobe in the secound round. Was rated as the #1 or #2 best KPF who recently said he can play both ends. Obviously has not played a game but looks like a beast.

We then have a group of players who have shown promise but need to take the next step to solidify their spot in our future core. Noah Long - unfortunate to be in the group after doing his knee Harvey Johnston - could be a great ball user off half back or the wing. Really rate this kid. Campbell Chesser - needs confidence Rhett Bazzo - needs a good run with injury who we desperately need due to positional need. Tyrell Dewar - exciting but raw Jack Hutchinson - unsure where his best position is Clay Hall - could become a great inside midfielder

Hon Mentions: Archer Reid

Oscar, Waterman and H.Edwards not included due to age

What areas do eagles need to focus on in upcoming draft and trade periods?

I can’t change the colour, or the oval

I’m not a fan but was curious to see the disappointment following the trade period because of the trade out of pick 3… I didn’t mind the risk looking in, you got footballers for now which will help win more games next season. You also have good young talent and got more good talent in the draft.

I can see the eagles winning more games than what most people think next season. Do fans share this optimism or still disappointed with how the off season has shaped?

Wanted to get peoples thoughts into how the club holistically has fared since we finally realized the premiership window was shut 3 years ago.

How well do you think we have:

• drafted talent
• developed current players
• put together a coaching lineup
• performed off-field
• looked after fans

Interested to hear everyone’s thoughts.

We turned pick 3 into Bo Allen, Baker, Owies and Tom Gross.

I think it will turn out absolutely fine.

What's everyones thoughts?

Raises several questions:

1. Are we paying a section of his salary next year?
2. Who's misses did he do the dirty with to fall out of favor with the club that we would essentially let him walk?
3. If it was a move to free up salary, what huge salary was Darling on to unload him?

It will be interesting to see who we pick with our next selection.

Plenty of good players still on the board including several top WA picks.

I've included a summary below of the likely options for our next pick in order of preference (IMO - best available talent):

Christian Moraes VIC MID/FWD, 183cm Moraes is an endurance athlete that operates at a high cadence, racking up the ball at will regardless of his position. He's been forced out of the midfield this season which has impacted his draft stock, but there's enough talent to believe that Moraes becomes a draft steal if he becomes a better kick under pressure and can hit the scoreboard with regularity.

Jobe Shanahan VIC FWD, 194cm Shanahan is a burly key forward who elevated his first-round stock with an excellent patch of form at VFL level with Essendon. He kicked 11 goals in three games and exhibited all of his traits - Shanahan is a booming kick, can use his endurance to work up the ground, and has strong hands on the lead and in pack

Jack Whitlock VIC FWD, 200cm There's enough buzz around Whitlock to believe he'll be taken earlier than this point on the first night. He has a similar frame and production to Ben King in his draft year; his reach and rangy athleticism translated superbly to the ruck where he collected a lot of the ball and produced big numbers. There's also reason to be concerned about the amount of size he needs to add to his frame to become an effective key forward at the next level. Whitlock will be an upside swing for a club inside the first round.

Noah Mraz VIC DEF, 199cm Mraz is the forgotten man, a brilliantly competitive key defender who takes pride in his defensive assignments and wins his battles consistently. Injury has robbed him in his top-age campaign, but recruiters know his quality should make him a top-30 pick.

Hamish Davis WA FWD/MID, 190cm Davis will be drafted as the modern-day half-forward, able to gallop up and down with unrewarded running but also finish his chances and provide flexibility on-ball or even in defence. He went from a 40-disposal Colts game as a midfielder to kicking four goals in a WAFL final, and his half-forward play against men was ultra-impressive. There's not much confidence in his ability to make it as a pure on-baller due to his limited foot skills, but he's primed for a long career in the forward 50.

Hugh Boxshall WA MID, 187cm Boxshall has come from the clouds and is now in first-round contention. In truth, his season has been remarkably consistent outside of injury frustrations, an excellent midfield contributor for Claremont which culminated in a Colts premiership. It wasn't enough to earn a national combine invite but his elite endurance was on show at the WA combine. Boxshall has good stoppage craft and finds a lot of the ball, but isn't as skilful as other midfielders above him

Anyone else notice how long it takes the media team to update the playing list on the West Coast website? Jones, Trew and Baker were all delisted in mid September while Gaff announced his retirement in August. Coaches information has been updated. Seems bizarre they aren’t quicker on it.

Just read that the roos were offering their future first should we have taken it. I say yes we should have. It could have looked like north future first our second this year and our second next year. It would have left us high and dry this year for the draft but 3 first round picks next year two in the top 8 would have been handy. We could have even made the trade after we traded with port. Or do you reckon we need guys now rather than next year

Discuss....

I know there were many, many who thought this. Please, help me out here.

West Coast, West Coast, West Coast.

https://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/1694870/the-draft-file-pick-16-bo-allan

How are we feeling about the pick?

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1256531/cal-twomeys-2024-phantom-draft-top-30-late-picks-whispers

Cal Twomey has released his final phantom draft with Travaglia, Lindsay, Allen all gone by our pick.

He has us taking Murphy Reid with our first round pick.

Looking at his highlights package I would be happy with this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlfh7hqk3oY

Anything can happen on draft day though...