West Coast 2018 season preview: Will Nic Naitanui solve Eagles’ problems?
WITHOUT Nic Naitanui, all of West Coast’s flaws were laid bare last season. But will his return be enough for the Eagles to play finals? DAVID KING looks at their 2018 prospects.
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THERE’S never been a player in AFL/VFL history who means more to his team than Nic Naitanui does to West Coast.
The Eagles franchise player is back and will instantly correct the game plan, because in his absence the underwhelming talent underbelly was exposed. His skill set is incomparable to any other present AFL player.
His assets are evident in congestion and around stoppages, where he always ensures a hitout advantage and an aggressive hitting range that has always created scores or, at worst, territory advantage for the Eagles.
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Without Naitanui, all flaws were laid bare. The Eagles went from fourth in the AFL to 14th regarding their press (locking the football in their forward half), their contested possession woes surfaced, and for long periods of the season they appeared impotent with possession of the ball.
Having said that, Adam Simpson found a way to navigate his team into a finals series and deliver their fans a stirring victory over Port Adelaide.
Often coaching lesser talent than the opposition, Simpson maximised the ability of Elliot Yeo and Jeremy McGovern to perfection.
The Eagles will enjoy a stronger ruck presence in 2018, but the query about their midfield is still unanswered.
The departing Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis finished inside the club’s top 10 in the 2017 best-and-fairest.
Luke Shuey is a super player but he desperately needs assistance. Andrew Gaff was given more opportunity at centre bounce clearances rather than the wing role last season, but Liam Duggan and Dom Sheed are the future of this midfield.
Yeo was an All-Australian last season playing a host of differing roles, but he could just be the mainstay midfielder Simpson is craving.
Eagle fans will be excited by the transition of young talent into the forward line. Liam Ryan will have a significant highlights package at the end of his career, while the eagerness to give Willie Rioli and Daniel Venables a go is palpable.
Recent draftees Oscar Allen and Jarrod Brander ensure there are quality key stocks for the future but talls generally take more time.
The Eagles had the best forward press in the AFL two to three years ago.
They were unbeatable at Subiaco as their tall forwards harassed and tackled like no other, but now their forward half pressure is the third worst in the league. Bring in the hungry youngsters.
I’m concerned the league’s most experienced list only won 12 games last home-and-away season and lost two genuine midfield stars in Priddis and Mitchell.
The doubts over the next wave coming through are strong.
Another 9-12 win season as this club starts the transition to youth.
ROBBO’S TACKLE
WHAT I LIKE
Played finals in 2017, beating Port twice, the Bulldogs twice and Adelaide in Round 23 and lost five games by less than two goals.
Pretty solid without being overly consistent, and that’s without their second-most influential player in Nic Nat.
Their No.1 is Josh Kennedy and you can probably pencil in 80 goals from him again. Plenty will depend on the contributions of kids, who the coach has to play. Like Luke Shuey — and with the retirements last year, the midfield is his to lead.
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
Unfortunately, there are more dislikes than likes. What has happened to Chris Masten? His career has not only stagnated, it’s disappearing. It’s a huge season for him.
Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis gone means the midfield needs players to step up and help Shuey and Andrew Gaff, and that’s where youngsters will be given opportunity. They are a curious team, the Eagles.
They win games when they probably shouldn’t and lose games they are expected to win (Gold Coast in Round 11, for example). Can’t see them making the eight this year despite having a superstar ruck, superstar defender (Jeremy McGovern) and superstar full-forward.
VERDICT
About 13th
Originally published as West Coast 2018 season preview: Will Nic Naitanui solve Eagles’ problems?
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