West Coast Eagles Urged to Seek Nat Fyfe's Mentorship for Harley Reid
Mitchell Woodcock contends the West Coast Eagles must think creatively to better educate young star Harley Reid and his teammates on managing opposition tags. The commentary surrounding Reid's performance and attitude against Sydney was largely unfair, given he has yet to play 50 games but is already expected to carry this developing side.
It wasn't fully acknowledged how much midfielders Deven Robertson and Elliot Yeo impacted the game, which inevitably affected Reid's output. As a player not yet 21, Reid is naturally struggling to break tags, a challenge he'll likely face throughout his career.
Why Nat Fyfe is the Ideal Mentor
The Eagles should look to cross-town rival and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe for guidance. Few in modern football understand being targeted like Fyfe, who endured constant tags during his prime. Outside of assistant coach Luke Shuey, no one at West Coast has experienced such intense defensive attention.
Interestingly, Yeo was often tasked with stopping Fyfe in western derbies. Whether through a casual coffee chat or formal club sessions, Fyfe's insights could prove invaluable. An external perspective can illuminate what's working and what isn't.
Fyfe became so adept at beating tags that teams eventually abandoned the strategy, seeking alternative ways to counter Fremantle when he dominated the AFL. West Coast should aspire to similar evolution for Reid, and Fyfe's football intellect might accelerate that process.
Fremantle's Ruck Conundrum: Sean Darcy's Concussion Opens Door
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir deserves credit for sticking with Sean Darcy despite external pressure to play Mason Cox. Unfortunately, Darcy's concussion against Collingwood might alter his season trajectory.
This injury creates an opportunity for Cox to feature in Sunday's western derby at Optus Stadium. The American ruckman would relish facing an Eagles side with their own ruck issues. A strong performance could prompt Fremantle to reconsider their structure.
Cox could handle approximately 75% of ruck duties, freeing Luke Jackson to operate primarily as a midfielder. Jackson, Caleb Serong, and Andrew Brayshaw would likely overpower West Coast's developing midfield, giving Fremantle a significant advantage in a crucial match.
If Darcy recovers well, he might return for the Anzac Day clash against Carlton. However, Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet has been among their best performers this season. Fremantle cannot afford to give a confidence-driven team like Carlton any edge, and Darcy's form hasn't warranted automatic reinstatement.
This might be an ideal moment for the Doig medallist to regain form with Peel Thunder in the WAFL before returning stronger. The next two weeks will be pivotal for Darcy's season.
The Oscar Allen Trade: A Rare Win-Win Scenario
Historically, AFL trades feature clear winners and losers. Chris Judd's move from West Coast to Carlton remains one of the most significant deals, with Carlton acquiring a Brownlow medallist and West Coast securing their all-time leading goalkicker and a draft pick used on Chris Masten.
Nearly two decades later, another Eagles captain departed when Oscar Allen exercised free agency rights to join Brisbane. West Coast received pick No.2 as compensation, which became pick No.4, used to draft promising ruck Cooper Duff-Tytler.
Objectively, this appears beneficial for all parties. Brisbane gained a spearhead to replace retired Joe Daniher, potentially aiding their pursuit of a historic three-peat. Allen himself seems rejuvenated, showing glimpses of his best form recently, which could prove decisive for coach Chris Fagan.
Meanwhile, West Coast acquired one of the most talented young rucks in recent drafts, addressing a void left by Nic Naitanui's 2023 retirement. Duff-Tytler joins Harley Reid, Willem Duursma, Josh Lindsay, Jobe Shanahan, Bo Allan, and Hamish Davis as part of a promising young core.
Remarkably, West Coast isn't missing Allen upfront, with Jake Waterman emerging as a leader and Shanahan and Archer Reid showing long-term potential. It's extraordinary that a club could benefit from losing its captain, but both Brisbane and West Coast emerged from this trade delighted.
