Almanac Footy: West Coast’s 2026 season preview
List:
As you guessed, like the Tiges, West Coast is in flux. However, they have gone a slightly different road. Whereas the Tiges, and North for that matter, have single-mindedly gone for drafting and junior development, West Coast have drafted juniors but, also, picked up some mature players from outside. Especially, to bolster their defence. Their intercepting averages were comparatively low. Opposition tall forwards were out-marking them.
They do have some interesting key defenders. Harry Edwards, newie Tyler Young, Ginbey, Hough, Brock, Bazzo and Maric. How many do you need?
Starcevich might be a good pick-up, but injury concerns are beginning to kick in. His 2025 stats, including the grand final, were ordinary, and he is injured again. However, Duursma, Duff-Tytler, Josh Lindsay look very exciting, Williams and Sam Allen look okay, too. Then you’ve got a few others.
The positive is that there are definite players to fill every position.
The rucks, my goodness! I can see a number of other AFL clubs looking at West Coast rucking list and thinking, “Who can we pick up?”
Select 23:
As said, the Westcoast back half had ordinary stats last season. Ginbey did well. While, Brock, Edwards, Baker and Cole did okay. Tyler Young is a good get and will add the extra tall defender.
The midfield looks ordinary. They have eight to rotate – Harley Reid, Hewett, Kelly, Dewar, young Duursma, Graham, Hutchinson and young Lindsay – not nearly enough, and some fill-ins. One would expect them to be over-run by most opposing midfields.
The forwards look okay but lack for regular multiple goalkickers.
As said, Westcoast are still in flux and will need about 5 to 6 years.
Westcoast Select 23:
B: Cole, H.Edwards, Brock
HB: Baker, young, Ginbey
C: Dewar, H.Reid, Duursma
HF: Cripps, Shanahan, McCarthy
F: J.Williams, Waterman, Owies
R: Flynn, Hewett, Kelly
I: Duggan, Graham, J.Lindsay, Maric, Hutchison
You can follow all my list updates as they become available at https://www.ozfootylistmanager.com/2026-lists-new.html
Bulldogs are next.
More from Micky McTigger can be read Here.
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About
It was 25 years ago that I began developing a model for analysing footy squad lists for the purpose of improving those lists into a premiership window. Since then, the model has been used to successfully predict premiership clubs and to improve either lop-sided or underdeveloped lists into premiership lists. Indeed, the model was used for an article that I had published as a double page spread in The Age 2005 Pre-Season magazine. Over the 25 years, I have analysed the annual lists of one particular club but have used it for other clubs upon request. It has always been on my bucket list to display the lists of all the clubs, using the model, which I've done since 2021 on my website - OzFootyListManager.com
Yes – the Eagle defence of 2025 was full of holes!
So we’re all the way into 2032 before the systemic changes take effect.
Well – every player has to play OFFENSIVELY and DEFENSIVELY within their role individually and as a team.
Which teams are in ruck-deficit? I had seen just how important they were in Carlton-Sydney and on the People First Stadium {Carrara; who am I kidding here? – especially memories of greyhound tracks and marble stone and beach views} where the Cats and Suns played.
Hi Adele,
Thanks for your comments.
On your first question, yes, 5 to 6 years of structural adjustment.
On the Westcoast list, there is no solid group, aside from the twilighters, until you get to the 18-21 year olds.
So, it takes 5-6 years for those 18-21yos to reach the maturity of 25-27yos, hence the time lag.
Yes, all good teams play offensively and defensively, in many different ways.
Ruck-sparse clubs are:
GWS – playing Riccardi as 2nd ruck because their next 2 – Madden & Smith – are 18-21.
Possibly Melbourne, until Heath was traded in and Kalani White was drafted.
North – only Xerri, then 2 x 18-21yo – Dawson & Goad.
Richmond – because neither Ryan nor Hayes-Brown have cemented the 2nd ruck role.
As said in the Tiger review. If Ryan and Hayes-Brown can’t cement the 2nd ruck role this season, the Tiges will look outside for a Nankervis understudy.
Agree with your analysis Micky. Bastard.
I think the Eagles are having a rebuild of the rebuild. Other than Harley Reid I can’t see that we’ve recruited or drafted much quality the last few years. Ginbey a goer – but a poor kick. McCarthy and Shanahan maybe with time. Owies and Brockman are duds. Chesser has already gone and Noah Long looks a bust to me (very small). Some plodders go ok but little top end talent, unless some of the yearlings are diamonds in the rough.
Long road ahead.
I don’t quite get your comment about the Eagles having a surfeit of rucks. Flynn and Bailey Williams are very average. I always thought Jack Williams might make a good second ruck/forward. Good hands and kick but still lacks strength. Archer Reid looks more a forward (maybe) – too skinny to ruck. So unless its in the new draft picks – I don’t see us having too much ruck talent.
Reminds me of a conversation at our breakfast table this week:
Avenging Eagle surveying Iran War headlines: “That Netanui has got a lot to answer for”.
Me looking at AFL news: “Yeah we’ve been rubbish since Nic retiired”.