Off-season outlook: Are Eagles still a premiership threat?

With Nic Naitanui flying again and his synergy growing with Tim Kelly, can the midfielder big guns ensure West Coast remains a contender in 2021? Check out our preview.

The Eagles’ 2020 season ended in heartbreak. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Eagles went from one-time premiership favourites to out in the first week of finals. Are they still a legitimate premiership contender?

Lauren Wood looks at the off-season moves, the game plan, the coach, the best 22 and more in our off-season series.

INS: Zac Langdon, Alex Witherden, Luke Edwards (pick 52), Isiah Winder (pick 57), Zane Trew (rookie draft), Daniel Venables (rookie draft)

OUTS: Tom Hickey (traded), Hamish Brayshaw (delisted), Mitch O’Neill (retired), Nic Reid (delisted), Will Schofield (retired), Anthony Treacy (delisted), Francis Watson (delisted)

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Adam Simpson and the Eagles didn’t make it out of the first round of the finals. Picture: Getty Images

COACH STATUS

Contracted until the end of 2022, Adam Simpson — who led the club to its 2018 premiership — is closing in on the club’s longest-serving coaches, Mick Malthouse and John Worsfold. One flag might almost seem unders for the list that Simpson has been able to pull together and lead during his time out west. They still look a formidable team on paper. As a result, there will be pressure to make finals again and perform strongly with very little in the way of player movement at the club. Simpson lamented what he described as a “bit of a waste” having ended the season in an elimination final against Collingwood, but should again be a force in 2021. The Eagles seemed to struggle as much as any other club in the bubble environment so a more settled approach this year will help.

It was a disappointing end to the year for Adam Simpson. Picture: Getty Images

GAME PLAN

It’s a safety first approach for the Eagles, who delivered the third-highest kick-to-handball radio in 2020. They like to mark the ball a lot and keep the ball in their control, but also know how to punish teams on the counter-attack, averaging the fourth-most points from turnovers. An injury to key intercept defender Jeremy McGovern did not help their cause. The Eagles are really effective in bringing the ball out of defence and using key pillars up forward Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. With All-Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui back at the helm and Tim Kelly entering his second season at the club, expect them to continue to build on one of their biggest assets — centre clearances.

TRADE TABLE REPORT

Little was going to compare to last year’s exhaustive trade period that saw the Eagles land Kelly in a tussle with the Cats, but there were handy additions in Alex Witherden and former GWS forward Zac Langdon. Witherden, who shifted from Brisbane, will sit down back alongside the experienced backmen Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass in what is arguably the most competitive line of the Eagles’ team. Langdon, who played just seven games in 2020, is determined to play in Round 1 and is open to midfield time if required. “It will be good up there, they have a good bunch of boys and the forward line is going to be very exciting,” Langdon said recently. “I want to develop my game and do whatever I can to help that team win in the future and if that means going somewhere else around the ground then so be it, I’m happy to play anywhere.”

Zac Langdon joined the Eagles during the trade period. Picture: Phil Hillyard

THEIR 2020 DRAFT HAUL

Had to wait to get into the draft and when they were on the board the Eagles took a punt on Edwards, who was passed up by the Crows as a father-son option. The son of Tyson is an elite ball-user and decision maker but does have question marks over his speed. The Eagles then went for the smooth-moving WA product Isiah Winder who plays taller than his 180cm. There are no glaring holes in the Eagles’ line-up and favouring experience means they’re likely to continue to develop any draftees. Winder is one potential bolter highlighted by the Herald Sun who could immediately serve as a forward/midfielder if required. They traded out back-up ruckman Tom Hickey to Sydney after he struggled to break into their side.

PLAYERS THEY CAN REINVENT

Swingman Jarrod Brander is one who could look for more opportunities in defence. He has one year to run on his existing contract and stayed at the club after some rival interest in the recent trade period but has aspirations to be a key position player. While Zac Langdon — who was drafted as a forward — could look to add another string to his bow with midfield pressure in an effort to set himself apart from the established Eagles engine room. The Eagles have a settled, mature side to will be interesting to see if they can introduce exciting new talent as the season unfolds.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Oscar Allen stepped up in the forward line in 2020 and expect him to continue to develop yet again. Nic Naitanui will again have the reins in the ruck — and why wouldn’t he, he’s a superstar — but Bailey Williams continues to sprout under him. Keep an eye on him as a back-up if required. Tim Kelly will be much more settled after a full year at his new club, while Alex Witherden — if he can cement his spot — has an opportunity to go to the next level out west.

Can Oscar Allen take another step in his development in 2021? Picture: Getty Images

BEST 22 FOR NEXT SEASON

B: Tom Barrass, Brad Sheppard, Tom Cole

HB: Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern, Liam Duggan

C: Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed

HF: Zac Langdon, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps

F: Oscar Allen, Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan

R: Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo

Int: Jackson Nelson, Jack Redden, Jake Waterman, Alex Witherden

CHAMPION DATA SAYS

Good: The Eagles ranked No. 1 for centre bounce clearance differential and points from centre bounce clearance differential. All on the back of Naitanui’s dominance.

Bad: West Coast ranked 18th for both loose ball differential and ground ball differential across 2020. It is an area they need to tighten up.

FINISH THE LAST FIVE YEARS: 2016: 6th, 2017: 8th, 2018: 2nd (Premier), 2019: 5th, 2020: 5th

TAB PREMIERSHIP ODDS: $9

Originally published as Off-season outlook: Are Eagles still a premiership threat?