WEST COAST
BEST 25
B: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, Beau Waters
HB: Shannon Hurn, Adam Hunter, Adam Selwood
C: Michael Braun, Matt Priddis, Matt Rosa
HF: Andrew Embley, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
F: David Wirrpanda, Quinten Lynch, Ashley Hansen
FOLL: Dean Cox, Tyson Stenglein, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Chad Fletcher, Mark Seaby, Brent Staker, Mark Nicoski
EMG: Jaymie Graham, Brad Ebert, Chris Masten
The rest of the squad:
Steven Armstrong, Mitchell Brown, Sam Butler, Tim Houlihan, Chad Jones, Eric Mackenzie, Patrick McGinnity, Ben McKinley, Jamie McNamara, Tony Notte, Will Schofield, Scott Selwood, Matt Spangher, James Thomson, Ashley Arrowsmith (rookie), Ryan Davis (rookie), Lewis Stevenson (rookie), Will Sullivan (rookie), Beau Wilkes (rookie), Callum Wilson (rookie)
There are some significant omissions from last year's best 25, most noticeably two of the club's greatest players - Chris Judd and Ben Cousins. Yet this year's line-up is still full of premiership players from 2006, with elite players such as Cox, Kerr and Glass leading the way. The addition of Kennedy, Ebert and Masten has given the squad some excellent young talent and one that is capable of making a strong impact in 2008.
AGE (As at 20 March, 2008)
* 21 years and under: (23)
* 22-25: (14)
* 26-29: (8)
* 30+: (0)
With all but eight players aged 25 years or under, West Coast enters 2008 with the third youngest list. Since the 2006 flag, the club has lost a wealth of experience and although its best 25 is still strong, it appears to be too 'green' in age to go all the way this year.
MATCHES (As at 20 March, 2008)
* 0 matches: (14)
* 1-25: (8)
* 26-50: (6)
* 51-100: (7)
* 101-200: (9)
* 200: (1)
In match experience, West Coast stacks up well and has similar numbers against the 2007 Geelong squad, suggesting it will be in the ball park for a top-four spot and an outside chance for the flag in 2008.
HEIGHT (As at 20 March, 2008)
* 184cm and under: (11)
* 185-190cm: (16)
* 191-199cm: (15)
* 200cm+: (3)
West Coast is one of the five tallest squads in 2008, averaging 189cm per player. The fact it has a low portion of players standing 184cm or under and has 34 players standing over 185cm, gives the club a realistic opportunity of competing for the premiership in 2008.
POSITIONS
* Defenders: (13)
Smalls: (0)
Mediums: (6)
Talls: (7)
* Midfielders: (19)
Smalls: (6)
Mediums: (12)
Talls: (1)
* Forwards: (10)
Smalls: (2)
Mediums: (1)
Talls: (7)
* Rucks: (3)
The stand out here is the considerable amount of midfielders the club possesses. It has also good height down back and up forward, but it is at least one ruckman short on its list. Overall its squad and best 25 is good enough to be mixing it at the pointy end of 2008.
SUMMARY
In some ways, a new era has arrived, particularly after 2007 was rocked with well-documented off-field indiscretions and on-field injuries. Now, West Coast will be eager to bounce back in 2008, after many believed it could go back-to-back in '07. Although it has a young list, its top echelon remains among the best in the business. This mix keeps it as a serious September participant, but going all the way just seems out of reach.
NUTSHELL
Top four a realistic goal, but not quite premiership ready.
