[ad_1]
West Coast will take their largest step in an arduous rebuild by selecting prodigious expertise Harley Reid with the primary choice within the AFL draft.
However the Eagles might additionally snare homegrown expertise Daniel Curtin in a transfer that might assist supercharge their stand up the ladder.
After claiming the second wood spoon within the membership’s proud historical past, the Eagles must strike gold on this yr’s draft, to be held at Marvel Stadium, on Monday and Tuesday night time.
Coming off 5 wins throughout the previous two seasons, West Coast have lastly realised they should rebuild their checklist with younger expertise.
After successful the 2018 premiership, the Eagles tried to remain close to the highest by sticking with their ageing grand remaining heroes.
West Coast additionally paid a document worth on the commerce desk for skilled midfielder Tim Kelly in 2019, draft choices that finally allowed Geelong to lure famous person ahead Jeremy Cameron out of GWS the next yr.
However with greats resembling Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui retired, the Eagles don’t have any different choice however to work their method up from the underside.
Naitanui is predicted to be in Melbourne on Monday night time to current Reid, arguably the most-hyped draft prospect in historical past, together with his first West Coast jumper.
Reid, the gun midfielder from the small city of Tongala in northern Victoria, has been all however sure to be the No.1 decide for greater than a yr.
However the 18-year-old has been pressured to defend himself amid hypothesis he was lower than completely satisfied to maneuver outdoors of Victoria, notably to the struggling Eagles.
“Clearly, wherever I am going, wherever it’s, like even Melbourne’s going be a problem for me to maneuver,” Reid mentioned in October.
“For 18 years I have been in a small nation city and have not left my household so it’s going to clearly be difficult even when I transfer to Melbourne.”
However Curtin, a tall intercepting defender from Claremont, is a extra assured choice – if West Coast can land him.
The Eagles are wanting into stay buying and selling on draft night time to allow them to choose Curtin with decide eight.
However such a transfer might come at a serious value if they provide up a future first-round decide to get their arms on Curtin.
Buying and selling future first-round draft choices is fraught with hazard, as rivals Fremantle discovered this yr.
After reaching a semi-final in 2022, Fremantle introduced in star ruck Luke Jackson from Melbourne in a bumper commerce.
However the Dockers slid down the ladder this yr, finally giving up decide six to the Demons, who’re coming off ending contained in the top-four after the home-and-away season.
Embattled North Melbourne, who completed within the bottom-two for a fourth straight season, have picks two and three within the draft after controversially being awarded precedence choices by the AFL.
The Kangaroos will possible herald Tasmanian star Colby McKercher with decide two, in addition to Zane Duursma, the younger brother of Essendon recruit Xavier.
POTENTIAL AFL DRAFT TOP 10
1. Harley Reid (West Coast)
2. Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
3. Jed Walter (Gold Coast matching North Melbourne’s bid)
4. Zane Duursma (North Melbourne)
5. Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
6. Ryley Sanders (Tasmania)
7. Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
8. Daniel Curtin (West Coast)
9. Ethan Learn (Gold Coast matching Geelong’s bid)
10. Nate Caddy (Geelong)
[ad_2]
Source link