Coach: John Worsfold
Captain: Darren Glass
Finished 2009: 11th (eight wins, 14 losses)
Best and fairest: Darren Glass
Leading goalkicker: Mark LeCras (58 goals)
Leading possession winner: Adam Selwood (515)
NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Bradd Dalziell (exchange period), Brad Sheppard, Koby Stevens, Gerrick Weedon (NAB AFL Draft), Ryan Neates (NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft), Lewis Broome, Andrew Strijk, Ashton Hams, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Simon Eastaugh (ruck coach)
BEST 22
B: Mitch Brown, Darren Glass, Brett Jones
HB: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Chris Masten, Matt Priddis, Matt Rosa
HF: Brad Ebert, Josh Kennedy, Andrew Embley
F: Ben McKinley, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Adam Selwood
I/C: Nic Naitanui, Beau Waters, Tom Swift, Scott Selwood
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER?
Shannon Hurn returned from an injury-ruined 2008 to play a major backline role last season, finishing second in the Eagles’ best and fairest. His accurate and penetrating kick is not only a safe option out of defence, it is a weapon so often used to launch forward thrusts. At just 22, Hurn has become irreplaceable in Worsfold’s structure.
UP AND COMER?
With his injuries behind him, second-year midfielder Luke Shuey is ready to debut and have an impact at AFL level. A natural footballer who has displayed poise, clean disposal and toughness this pre-season, Shuey always makes the right decision with the ball in his hands and should be a regular in West Coast’s midfield before season’s end.
NEEDS A BIG YEAR
At 24, Brett Jones was a premiership half-back crucial to West Coast’s 2006 success. But after an injury-interrupted season that sapped him of form and confidence, the 27-year-old is seemingly fighting for his spot. If he can bounce back, Jones will provide valuable experience alongside captain Darren Glass in what is a young defence.
CHANGING TACK
A strong finish to 2009 has justified West Coast’s game plan in Worsfold’s eyes and there will be little change on that front in 2010. There will, however, be positional changes. Premiership half-back Beau Waters will return after 18 months on the sidelines in a new forward line role, possibly modeled on that played by Geelong’s half-forward enforcer Max Rooke. Nic Naitanui will step up to give the side a two-pronged ruck division, allowing both him and Dean Cox to rest forward at times, while utility Quinten Lynch will play a permanent forward role after plugging holes in 2009. Former Brisbane Lion Bradd Dalziell was acquired in the trade period and will add midfield depth.
INJURY LIST
Nil
WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
“We haven’t got 15 28-year-olds holding the team together with a few [kids] filtering through. The bulk of our group is the younger side of it that are going to play together for a long period of time. That’s when you start to say they should have some success together. If we maintain [last year’s] improvement we might get in the eight.” - senior coach John Worsfold
CRYSTAL BALL
Four wins from its last five games in 2009 has West Coast in vogue again, and natural improvement from its young midfielders - and less of a burden on Daniel Kerr - should see it step into contention for seventh or eighth spot this season. The club has long lacked a strong marking option inside 50, and the emergence of Josh Kennedy as a quality centre half-forward shapes as a key to the club’s success this season.
SEASON OPENER
March 27 v Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
