After registering one of their most porous campaigns in club history in 2023, the Eagles hope their latest injection of youthful talent pays dividends next season and beyond.
Possessing the first overall draft choice this year certainly helped West Coast's future cause; selecting prodigious Victorian midfielder Harley Reid to supplement a young contingent of burgeoning Eagles.
In terms of their manoeuvres during the player movement period, the Eagles re-introduced livewire forward Tyler Brockman to his home state, as well as attained ruckman Matt Flynn from the GWS Giants via free agency.
In addition to Reid, West Coast added his namesake Archer Reid (No.30 National Draft pick), local talent Clay Hall (No.38), Harvey Johnston (No.49), Coen Livingstone (Category B rookie), and Loch Rawlinson (Rookie Draft) through this year's drafts.
On the other side of the ledger, West Coast farewelled stalwart champions Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn, as well as fan-favourite ruckman Nic Naitanui, at the conclusion of the season; ushering in a new era at Lathlain.
We assessed West Coast's list and produced our projected best 23 for the Eagles as they prepare to embark on another rebuilding campaign.
ADELAIDE CROWS, BRISBANE LIONS, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG CATS, GOLD COAST SUNS, GWS GIANTS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, NORTH MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND, ST KILDA, SYDNEY SWANS.
Standout stopper Tom Barrass and seasoned All-Australian Jeremy McGovern will continue to headline Adam Simpson's defence from key positions, while hard-headed duo Liam Duggan and Elliott Yeo – provided he can remain healthy for the majority of the year – project to play important roles exiting the half-backline.
Occupying a defensive half that was relentlessly peppered by opposition attacks, Jamaine Jones provided the 2023 Eagles with desperately needed run and carry exiting defensive 50 and kickstarting offensive movements. His 2.6 rebound-50s per game this year ranked as the best figure of his six-year career.
Youngster Brady Hough and seasoned pair Tom Cole and Alex Witherden also figure into West Coast's half-back calculations heading into next year, while former speed Demon Jayden Hunt also possesses the capability to counter-attack from half-back.
Following the high-profile imposition of Reid, an overshadowed element of the Eagles' 2024 midfield operation is the prospective second-year emergence of Reuben Ginbey, who managed a top-20-ranking tackling average of 5.9 hugs per game.
Throughout his maiden professional campaign, Ginbey typically played a negating role on the opposition's marquee midfielder, but the East Perth product is more than capable of winning his own Sherrin and could be unleashed by Simpson in 2024.
Alongside the East Perth onballer in West Coast's engine room are the likes of 2023 club best and fairest winner Tim Kelly, and 2018 flag hero Dom Sheed.
Additionally, Elijah Hewett, Campbell Chesser, and Jai Culley are three names who are likely to feature prominently through the middle for the Eagles, if not this year, then the seasons following.
Flynn's arrival from Western Sydney provides a challenge for fellow ruckman Bailey Williams, who impressed in spurts against difficult tall-timber opposition.
Veteran goalscorers Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps, and Liam Ryan, as well as star-in-the-making key forward Oscar Allen – who was the Eagles' only 2023 All-Australian nomination – make up the brunt of West Coast's forward-line firepower, with the addition of ex-Hawk Brockman adding an electric element to the Eagles' smaller brigade.
2023 Mid-Season Draft top choice Ryan Maric, small forwards Noah Long and Jack Petruccelle, and recent draftee Archer Reid should also find themselves in the Eagles' forward mix at different stages throughout the 2024 season.
With Darling and Cripps' careers progressively winding to a close, opportunities will begin to arise for the likes of Reid and Maric, as well as Jack Williams and Callum Jamieson, in the tall forwards department, while early signs suggest Long fits the Cripps mould.
FB: Tom Cole, Tom Barrass, Liam Duggan.
HB: Elliot Yeo, Jeremy McGovern, Jamaine Jones.
C: Andrew Gaff, Tim Kelly, Elijah Hewett.
HF: Jamie Cripps, Jack Darling, Harley Reid.
FF: Tyler Brockman, Oscar Allen, Liam Ryan.
FO: Matt Flynn, Dom Sheed, Reuben Ginbey.
I/C: Brady Hough, Bailey Williams, Noah Long, Alex Witherden.
SUB: Jayden Hunt.
Also in the mix: Jack Petruccelle, Ryan Maric, Campbell Chesser, Jai Culley, Luke Edwards, and Zane Trew.