Critics of the West Coast Eagles will often throw a barb that in times when things are not going well we tend to defer to our history.

They suggest we look into the rear vision mirror as a means of distraction from the issues of the present.

That’s not quite right; we do call on past experiences when necessary as we plot our way forward because that has proven largely successful.

But we also know that in this industry a club can ill afford to stand still. It is the archetypal fast-paced environment,and you need to be ahead of trends to be relevant.

Clearly the 2022 season was not what we envisaged.

We did not expect to tumble to 17th on the ladder and we did not anticipate that we would be comprehensively beaten as often as we were.

We have been in positions similar to this previously and have worked our way through it. That word ‘worked’ being the key here. We know there is much to do and everyone is up for the challenge of addressing it.

From the coaching staff and playing group to Chief Executive Officer Trevor Nisbett and everyone within the administration there is total commitment. We are united in that drive for improvement.

Knowing that we have more than 100,000 dedicated members and a fan base of around 600,000 gives us great energy and responsibility.

To have again topped the membership count amid the turmoil and uncertainty of COVID restrictions for home games and the difficulties we encountered was quite remarkable. And motivating.

Some of the circumstances leading to the losses this season were beyond our control. The impacts of COVID and an injury crisis running side by side were largely a horrible coincidence.

But there were other factors that could be avoided and those are the focus areas during the off-season. We know our fans were highly frustrated by a season which produced just two victories, but no more so than those within our club who were trying to navigate a way through the malaise.

Clearly, the player (un)availability was a large impediment as the club was represented by 47 players, 16 of whom wore the blue and gold for the first time. Of that 47, six were COVID Contingency List players and five of them stepped out for the club for their maiden Eagles and in some cases, AFL appearance.

There were some great personal stories, with West Perth veteran Aaron Black and Claremont midfielder Declan Mountford among them. They were rival captains in the WAFL Grand Final after being a part of Eagles history in the round two match against North Melbourne.

Reflecting on the season, the circumstances and relative performance against the Kangaroos was quite astonishing. We leaned on five top up players, had two others (Jack Williams and Callum Jamieson who also made their debut) and we were not without a chance before sliding to a 15-point loss.

As we reflect on a season where we won the lowest number of games in our history sometimes the facts around those obstacles, especially early in the year, can be forgotten.

We do review our season in its totality and regardless of some extenuating circumstances where we did not meet the standards we expect, there were also some highlights. Of course, none of us will forget the farewell performance of Josh Kennedy, the only player to kick 700 goals in our history (712) and to kick eight in his farewell match against Adelaide was exceptional.

I would like to acknowledge the achievements and contribution that Josh made to the club throughout his extraordinary career.

We did not get the chance to farewell Jack Redden formally at the end of the year, but after 134 games for the club (263 overall], he also decided to call time. Like JK he was part of the 2018 premiership campaign and will be inexorably linked to our club forever.

Reddo won the player of the finals during the campaign that claimed the fourth flag for the club and was also runner-up in the John Worsfold Medal.

Excluding the CCL players and three supplementary period selections (Luke Strnadica, High Dixon and Patrick Naish) who are no longer with us, there were a few youngsters who appear to have the credentials to be long-term players with the club.

Brady Hough, who won the Best Emerging Player Award at the Club Champion Awards, Rhett Bazzo, Jai Culley and others certainly made an impression.

The club again focused on the National Draft last month and has brought in some exciting youngsters who we hope will help the club bounce back up the ladder reasonably quickly.

We know that it takes time to build a list that can achieve sustained success and we have added more important building blocks through the draft, as well as former Melbourne utility player Jayden Hunt.

Overhauling our playing list has not been restricted to our AFL team with the AFLW squad also going through quite a transformation and we are excited about the sharp improvement we saw in what was an extraordinary year.

To play two seasons in one calendar year– including a stint in a Melbourne hub in the first of those competitions – set a gruelling agenda for our players, but they showed admirable resilience.

There was a high level of attrition from Season 6 to Season 7, through a combination of the arduous campaign, the need to rejuvenate the squad through the addition of some young players and some senior players seeking opportunities elsewhere.

We are delighted with the progress of the team and are thrilled with the players we drafted between the two campaigns. We know Ella Roberts, our first selection, is a star in the making, and together with Sarah Lakay, Charlie Thomas, Courtney Rowley, Bella Lewis, Beth Schilling and a number of others will be key players in our progression.

They will benefit from the presence of established stars like Emma Swanson, Dana Hooker and Aisling McCarthy as they develop in the next year or two, but this squad is on the upward trend.

While I will not see at close quarters the evolution of either list, I will be cheering loudly and boldly from the stands because in line with the club’s constitution I will stand down after 11 years as a director and six years as Chair.

It has been an absolute privilege to serve the club in that time and a pleasure to work closely with so many remarkable people. It is always risky to single out people because our club has been able to attract people of the highest calibre to the Board, but there are some that I feel I need to acknowledge.

From Alan Cransberg, who was Chair when I arrived on the Board, to directors like James McMahon, Peter “Sticks” Carter, Chris Wharton, the inimitable and late Geoff Rasmussen, Julie Bishop and the entire current Board, it has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you all.

Our club has been blessed to have so many highly accomplished people willing to dedicate their unique skills and time to help make us even better and I will miss that direct connection.

Obviously, my love and passion will not wane because I step away from the Board – I will watch just as enthusiastically as the club begins to climb its way back into the finals and into contention.

I would also like to acknowledge Trevor Nisbett who is among the very best of sports administrators in this country who leads our executive team and staff with an unflinching commitment to be a standard bearer of the competition.

The executive is also a highly talented group, led by Chief Operating Officer Richard Godfrey. I would also like to thank the many sponsors, members and fans for the incredible support they have shown to the club and to me personally.

My departure from the board will certainly leave a void in my life, but I know the club is in great hands and we will bounce back strongly in the AFL and surge forward in the AFLW.

Finally, I would like to thank my wife Tam and daughters Amy and Emily for their unwavering support and understanding which has allowed me to commit so much time and energy to fulfil my passion for our club, the mighty West Coast Eagles.

Go Eagles!!

Russell Gibbs