After a disastrous 2022 campaign that saw the West Coast fall to their worst finishing position in the club's history, it's fair to say that fans are eager to see some improvement this season.
With Adam Simpson heading into his ninth year at the helm, Josh Kennedy hanging up the boots and key names set to return from injury, there's plenty of question marks hanging around the Eagles.
As the 2023 season approaches, we've taken a look at the five burning questions surrounding West Coast this year.
5. Who replaces Josh Kennedy?
West Coast fans farewelled club legend Josh Kennedy in 2022 after a career that spanned 17 years, with the dominant key forward kicking 723 total goals to climb to the top of West Coast's all time leading goal kicking tally. With the spearhead, who led the club for goals in 2022, hanging up the boots, the Eagles now have a big gap to fill in the forward line.
Jack Darling is heading into the season under a slight injury cloud after he suffered an injury to his left ankle during the pre-season, but the club remains confident he will be fit for the season opener. The 30-year-old played 21 games last year and looms as the likely replacement atop the goal kicking ladder at the Eagles, but one young gun may use the absence of Kennedy to deliver on his long promised potential.
Oscar Allen was sidelined for the entirety of the 2022 season due to a foot injury, after a convincing 2021 showing. Despite being drafted as a key forward with potential, Allen found himself playing different roles in his first few seasons at the club as Kennedy and Darling held down the forward line, often playing as support in the ruck or defence.
But heading into this year with no Kennedy imposing on the competition's defences, it is Allen's time to shine in the forward line.
