HARLEY MATTERS FOR SORRY EAGLES BY THE NUMBERS

Finals seem highly unlikely for West Coast. Anything other than a repeat of the carnage of 2022 and 2023 will be highly unlikely unless the Eagles can get more players on the park more often. Foot problems for Elijah Hewett and Dom Sheed, and hamstring tendon injuries to ruckman Matt Flynn and forward Liam Ryan in the pre-season are not a great sign.

But it appears that Elliot Yeo has now come through two high-intensity practice matches without soft-tissue damage. That is a plus. Less is more. That is less injuries equals more chance of at least some wins. Jeremy McGovern also got through uninjured against Adelaide.

THE GREAT WHITEHAIRED HOPE

Rarely has a player been the subject of more hype before his AFL debut than number one draft pick Harley Reid. He has dominated the back page of the local paper, his every move at training watched and

Ranked 18th for points scored and points conceded in 2023

Lost the most matches through injury of any side in the AFL.

Ranked 18th for points from turnover and stoppage differential in 2023.

Conceded the second-fewest number of points from a centre clearance on average. scrutinised. Everyone thinks Reid can be a star and there were good signs against Adelaide. Realistically the Eagles need a solid season from Reid, indications he is going to be a very good player and they need him to get through unscathed. Coach Adam Simpson has declared he will use him off half back and through the midfield. Reid has shown strong form in match simulation and had 20 disposals and five clearances against the Crows. Hopefully the kid grows into the season.

CONTEST IS KEY

Win the contest, win clearances, play forward-half football. That is the bold aim of Simpson, whose clear message to his players this pre-season is that the comeback starts at the contest. It was achieved briefly against Fremantle but there little evidence against Adelaide.

With a young list, sustaining the strength and energy required for it will be difficult.

COACH UNDER PRESSURE?

It is said that the size of the two-year payout the club faced if they parted with Simpson was a major factor in him keeping his job after five wins from 45 matches in two seasons. The pay out won’t diminish significantly if he was sacked early in the season so it is hard to see the board moving on him before the mid-season bye. But the results need to be better or it is difficult to see how the 2018 premiership coach remains at the helm for the last year of his contract in 2025.