West Coast mid-season report card: From 'reboot' to flying high
WEST COAST EAGLES
RECORD: 10 wins, 3 losses
GRADING: A
The West Coast Eagles were meant to be rebuilding; instead they are a premiership threat.
Summer expectation: Football insiders expected the Eagles to slip this year and fall out of the top eight, having failed at grabbing a premiership after securing veterans Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie. Said coach Adam Simpson in an interview with The Age in March: "I don't look at it as a rebuild. I just look at it as a shift in direction – there's a bit of a transition of our list. It doesn't mean we're going to bottom out. It doesn't mean we're going to finish top. We've had four years together. That profile, that list, was there for the most part. Now we reboot."
The story so far: And what a "reboot" it has been. There have been only three defeats – two to the Swans and a lethargic performance against Essendon last week. There were 10-straight wins after the opening-round loss to the Swans by 29 points in Perth. There have been three victories in Victoria - against the Western Bulldogs, Carlton and Hawthorn. The off-contract Andrew Gaff has been a standout in the midfield, averaging almost 30 touches per game, while Elliot Yeo and Jack Redden have also found plenty of the ball. Key forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling, the latter in career-best form, have been pivotal, booting more than 30 per cent of the Eagles goals before they were hurt. Defender Jeremy McGovern has reinforced why he has been heavily pursued by rival clubs.
The surprise: Many thought Marc LeCras would be part of the Eagles' cleanout last year but the veteran forward survived - and has flourished this year. He has been a crucial third target up forward, while his crumbing skills have long been appreciated. The Eagles have also praised his leadership and the manner in which he has worked with younger players.
What's ahead: Nic Naitanui, returning from a knee reconstruction, is likely to have a greater influence, having been limited to 60 per cent game time. Naitanui has said he is ready to step up. The Eagles will hope Darling and Kennedy return soon. In terms of the fixture, there is nothing for the Eagles to fear. They host the Giants, Bulldogs and Demons, while there is a second derby. A trip to Melbourne to face the Magpies, one to Hobart to take on the Kangaroos and the Power in Adelaide will test but there is no reason why this side cannot pocket at least two wins from these challenging games.