West Coast Eagles Face Defensive Struggles as Mid-Season Draft Options Dim
West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter has conceded that the team has little chance of strengthening their key defensive lineup through the upcoming mid-season rookie draft. This admission comes as the Eagles grapple with a shortage of experienced defenders, forcing them to battle through the AFL season with their current roster of players.
Defensive Woes Highlighted in Western Derby Loss
During Sunday's western derby, the Eagles were overwhelmed by Fremantle's tall forwards, who took 19 marks inside the 50-meter arc. Fremantle's Jye Amiss dominated the game, scoring 5.4, exposing West Coast's defensive vulnerabilities. This performance underscores a broader issue for the Eagles, who rank second-worst in the league for conceding marks inside their defensive 50-meter arc this season, trailing only Essendon.
The team has been struggling to replace premiership defenders Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern. Barrass moved to Hawthorn ahead of last season, while McGovern was forced into retirement due to multiple concussions. Additionally, Harry Edwards has played only one game this season after suffering a concussion, leaving West Coast with Reuben Ginbey, Sandy Brock, and Tylar Young as their primary key defensive trio.
Mid-Season Draft Unlikely to Provide Relief
Despite having two selections in the mid-season draft following long-term injuries to midfielders Deven Robertson and Jacob Newton, McQualter expressed skepticism about finding suitable key defenders. "It is a position that every club in the land needs a bit of depth. There's not a whole heap of depth across the country in the key back position," McQualter told 7News. He emphasized that while the team is actively searching for players to fill the role, the focus might shift to bolstering midfield depth instead.
Ginbey Praised for Resilient Performances
Amid the defensive challenges, McQualter singled out Reuben Ginbey for praise, highlighting his ability to handle pressure against top key forwards. Ginbey kept Fremantle's Josh Treacy to just one goal on Sunday, following an impressive performance against Jeremy Cameron at Gather Round. "He's such a warrior. He had one of the toughest match-ups in the competition at the moment on Josh Treacy. He just finds a way to will himself and battle in a weight class that is often outside his own, he did a great job again," McQualter said, commending Ginbey's efforts.
Offensive Struggles Compound Defensive Issues
While the backline was under constant pressure, West Coast's forwards also struggled, kicking only five goals for a total of 41 points—their second-lowest ever derby score. The team had early opportunities but missed seven consecutive behinds before scoring their first goal. Jake Waterman, in particular, had a challenging day, booting 1.4 after taking several shots from the boundary line.
McQualter noted the frustration of not capitalizing on chances, as the Eagles had more inside 50s than Fremantle but lost by 56 points due to poor conversion. "It was frustrating. If that scoreboard looks different, maybe the whole game looks a bit different," he said, adding that the team continues to work on goal-kicking improvements.
As the season progresses, West Coast must find ways to overcome these defensive and offensive hurdles to remain competitive in the AFL.
